RTS Opens Entries For Programme Awards 2017

The Royal Television Society (RTS) is calling for entries for the RTS Programme Awards 2017 In Partnership with Audio Network.

The Awards seek to recognise programmes which have made a material and positive contribution to their genre through originality, creative risk-taking or due to their standard-setting quality.
 
This year will see a number of changes to the awards criteria, including the introduction of the RTS Channel Of The Year Award, which will recognise an outstanding performance by a single channel based in the UK. The channel may be delivered on any or many platforms, be in linear or VOD in form, and be free-to-air, subscription or pay-per-view.
 
Alex Mahon, Chair of the RTS Programme Awards, said: "The RTS Programme Awards are a gold standard in our industry and an important showcase of the extraordinary talent evident across all genres in British television. Our aim, as ever, is to reflect the changing broadcasting landscape and to make sure the categories recognise the kinds of programmes and talent that make up today's schedules and the best content in Britain."

The closing date for entries is Friday 9 December 2016. All entries must be submitted using the RTS Online Awards Entry System and programmes entered should have been first transmitted between the period 1 November 2015 and 31 October 2016.

The Award categories include:

DRAMA
Single Drama – recognises dramas transmitted as a single piece.
Drama Series – recognises a returning drama series.

Mini-Series – recognises single-run drama series that are not intended to return.

Soap and Continuing Drama – recognises half hour or hour long multi-unit entities running throughout the year with one or more episode per week.

Writer – Drama – recognises writers of original drama and adaptation.

ENTERTAINMENT AND COMEDY

Scripted Comedy – recognises situation comedies, comedy dramas and sketch shows.

Entertainment – recognises both single programmes and series.

Writer – Comedy – recognises comedy writers on both one-off shows and series.

PERFORMANCE

Actor (Female) – recognises performance by a female actor.

Actor (Male) – recognises performance by a male actor.

Entertainment Performance – recognises hosts, comperes and panellists performing as themselves in a pure entertainment format.

Comedy Performance – recognises actors/performers in sitcom, comedy drama and sketch shows.

PRESENTER

Presenter – recognises presenters only, not performers in an entertainment show.

BREAKTHROUGH AWARD

Recognises the emergence of a significant new talent in UK production. It may be a performer, writer, director or producer.

FACTUAL

History – recognises series and single programmes within the History genre.

Science & Natural History – recognises series and single programmes within the Science & Natural History genre.

Arts – recognises series and single programmes within the Arts genre.

Single Documentary – recognises programmes conceived as a single documentary or as a one-off programme that is part of a documentary strand.

Documentary Series – recognises a general documentary series which usually has a continuous narrative or is linked by a central theme.

Popular Factual and Features – recognises originality and innovation in popular factual and features programmes.

Daytime Programme – recognises programmes running from 6.00am to 7.00pm.

CHILDREN'S

Children’s Programme – recognises series (one episode) and single children’s factual, entertainment and animation, drama and comedy programmes.

LIVE EVENT & TELEVISION SPORT

Live Event – recognises coverage of a live event. The focus for this award will be on the commentary, pictures and sound, what was shown or not shown, editing, packaging, punditry and presentation. Excludes coverage of live sport.

Sports Programme – recognises production and editorial values in live OB and actuality sports programming – event coverage/live or recorded, strand or individual programme.

Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit – recognises the best work by a sports presenter or pundit/analyst either on location or in the studio, or a sports commentator on location.

RTS CHANNEL OF THE YEAR

This award recognises an outstanding performance by a single channel based in the UK during the award year. The channel may be delivered on any or many platforms, be in linear or VOD in form, and be free-to-air, subscription or pay-per-view.

JUDGES’ AWARD

This Award is presented in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the UK’s television and media industry (excluding Television Journalism). This Award is in the gift of the Judges and cannot be entered by broadcasters, although suggestions would be welcome.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This Award recognises an outstanding broadcaster for an on-screen or off-screen achievement over a number of years. This Award is in the gift of the Judges and cannot be entered by broadcasters, although suggestions would be welcome.



For more information go to rts.org.uk.

(MH/CD)