RTS opens 2020 Programme Awards

The complete RTS Programme Awards Categories:

DRAMA

Single Drama

The single drama should be submitted in full and should be in one, complete and self-contained episode.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Killed By My Debt (winner); Mother’s Day; Black Mirror: USS Callister

Drama Series

For returning drama series. Entries MUST be accompanied by full synopses of all other episodes in the series so that jurors can fully understand the context of the two episodes they view.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Save Me (winner); Killing Eve; Peaky Blinders

Mini-Series

For single-run drama series that are not intended to return. Entries MUST be accompanied by full synopses of all other episodes in the series so that jurors can fully understand the context of the two episodes they view.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: A Very English Scandal (winner); The Cry; Butterfly

Soap and Continuing Drama

For half-hour or hour-long multi-unit entities running throughout the year with one or more episodes per week. Three consecutive episodes should be submitted to demonstrate the soap’s consistency and continuing quality. Specials or late-night episodes should NOT be included. Jurors will give equal weight to their consideration of each episode.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Hollyoaks (winner); Casualty; Coronation Street

Writer – Drama

Both original drama and adaptation can be entered. Single dramas should be submitted in full. For series and serials, please submit one episode only. Please include a shooting script with your online entry.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Lennie James – Save Me (winner); David Nicholls – Patrick Melrose; Russel T. Davies – A Very English Scandal

ENTERTAINMENT AND COMEDY

Scripted Comedy

For situation comedies, comedy dramas and sketch shows. Single programmes should be submitted in full. For series and serials, please submit two episodes.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Derry Girls (winner); Detectorists; Famalam

Entertainment

For entertainment shows, such as chat shows, panel shows and ‘shiny floor’ studio shows. Series (one episode only) and single programmes can be entered. Programmes should be submitted in full.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: The Last Leg (winner); Britain’s Got Talent; Don’t Hate The Playaz

Writer – Comedy

For single writers or writing partnerships. Series (one episode only) and single programmes can be entered. Programmes should be submitted in full.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Stefan Golaszewski – Mum (winner); Jamie Demetriou and Robert Popper – Stath Lets Flats; Lisa McGee – Derry Girls

PERFORMANCE

Actor (Female)

Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each actor can only be considered for a single programme title. Please identify in the accompanying notes the actor being judged.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Jodie Comer – Killing Eve (winner); Michaela Coel – Black Earth Rising; Sandra Oh – Killing Eve

Actor (Male)

Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each actor can only be considered for a single programme title. Please identify in the accompanying notes the actor being judged.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Lucian Msamati – Kiri (winner); Ben Whishaw – A Very English Scandal; Lennie James – Save Me

Entertainment Performance

For hosts, comperes and panellists performing as themselves in a pure entertainment format, eg chat shows, panel shows and ‘shiny floor’ studio shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each performer can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan – The Big Narstie Show (winner); Jennifer Hudson – The Voice UK; Michael McIntyre – Michael McIntyre’s Big Show

Comedy Performance (Female)

For female actors/performers in sitcom, comedy-drama and sketch shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each performer can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Lesley Manville – Mum (winner); Sian Gibson – Peter Kay’s Car Share; Daisy May Cooper – This Country

Comedy Performance (Male)

For male actors/performers in sitcom, comedy-drama and sketch shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each performer can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith – Inside No 9 (winner); Alex Murphy and Chris Walley – The Young Offenders; Samson Kayo - Famalam

PRESENTER

Presenter

For presenters (not performers in an entertainment show) in broadcast programmes, online and streamed services. Judges will focus on the ability to communicate with the viewer and, by doing so, add impact to the programme rather than reporting or interviewing techniques. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each presenter can only be considered for a single programme title. Sports presenters should be entered into the Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit category.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Romesh Ranganathan – The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan (winner); Michael Palin – Michael Palin in North Korea; Bobby Friction – Pump Up The Bhangra

BREAKTHROUGH AWARD

Breakthrough Award

For recognition of the emergence of a significant new on-screen talent. Judges will consider the personal impact and the recognition of that impact during the awards year. There is no age limit and it may well be that the entrant has been a member of a successful team for several years but has only now achieved personal recognition. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each entrant can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Nabhaan Rizwan – Informer (winner); Mo Gilligan – The Big Narstie Show; Alice Feetham – Save Me

FACTUAL

History

For series and single programmes about History, including, where appropriate, dramatic reconstruction of historical events. “Series” in this category does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title) but only to programmes conceived and transmitted as an entity, even though each separate programme may be complete in itself. A single programme which is part of a broader strand may be entered as a single programme. New and recurring History formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Formatted Popular Factual. An entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered in another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: A Dangerous Dynasty: The House of Assad (winner); Holocaust: The Revenge Plot; The Ruth Ellis Files: A Very British Crime Story

Science and Natural History

For series and single programmes within the Science and Natural History genre. “Series” in this category does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title) but only to programmes conceived and transmitted as an entity, even though each separate programme may be complete in itself. A single programme which is part of a broader strand may be entered as a single programme. New and recurring Science and Natural History formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Formatted Popular Factual. An entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered in another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Drowning in Plastic (winner); The Secret Life of Landfill; Blue Planet II

Arts

For series and single programmes within the Arts genre. “Series” in this category does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title) but only to programmes conceived and transmitted as an entity, even though each separate programme may be complete in itself. A single programme which is part of a broader strand may be entered as a single programme. New and recurring Arts formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Formatted Popular Factual. An entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered in another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: The Art of Drumming (winner); Black Hollywood: “They’ve Gotta Have Us”; Germaine Bloody Greer

Single Documentary

For programmes conceived as either as a single documentary or as a one-off programme that is part of a documentary strand. The programme must be submitted in full. This category is aimed at documentaries of a general nature, including religious, business or other specialist journalism. History, Science & Natural History, and Arts programmes cannot be submitted in this category but should be entered in the specialist categories.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Raped: My Story (winner); Grenfell; Married To A Paedophile

Documentary Series

For a series which has a continuous narrative or is linked by a central theme. Two programmes representative of the series should be submitted. Entries must be accompanied by a complete list of other programmes in the series within the Awards year. This category is aimed at documentaries of a general nature, including religious, business or other specialist journalism. History, Science & Natural History and Arts programmes cannot be submitted in this category but should be entered in the specialist categories.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: Prison (winner); Love and Hate Crime; Drugsland

Formatted Popular Factual

This category is for originality in developing and delivering constructed factual content aimed at the widest possible audience. It is likely, though not necessary, that such formatted factual shows will be pre-watershed. One episode of a series should be entered as representative of that format and series. Subject matter could include – for instance – cookery, fashion, consumer, travel but also such shows as The Undateables, The Apprentice, SAS Who Dares Wins, Long Lost Family. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered into another Factual category. History, Science & Natural History and Arts programmes cannot be submitted in this category but should be entered in the specialist categories.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night; Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip: The French Connection; Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

Daytime Programme

For the purposes of this Award, the RTS considers Daytime to run from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm. For programmes lasting longer than an hour, up to one hour of continuous programming (NOT edited highlights) should be submitted.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: The Repair Shop (winner); Moving On – Invisible; Murder, Mystery and My Family

CHILDREN’S

Children’s Programme

Series (one episode) and single programmes can be entered for children’s factual, entertainment, animation, drama and comedy programmes. Programmes must have been commissioned and produced specifically for the child audience and broadcast during children’s airtime or on a dedicated children’s channel.

Up to six entries per channel, of which at least two must be produced by independent production companies.

2019 nominations: Prosiect Z (winner); My Life: Locked In Boy; Jacqueline Wilson’s Katy

LIVE EVENT

Live Event

For network broadcast or streamed live events which are not sport. Entries should be a 30-minute compilation of coverage as transmitted, with a maximum of three extracts included. If the event crosses multiple days, the extracts may come from more than one day. Each extract must be as transmitted and not re-edited for these awards. Entries will be judged on the quality of the coverage, not on the importance or excitement of the event. The entry should reflect the full range of the coverage. The focus will be on the commentary, pictures and sound, what was shown or not shown, editing, packaging and presentation.

Up to three entries per channel

2019 nominations: The Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (winner); The Real Full Monty Live; Glyndebourne Opera Cup

SPORT

Sports Programme

The Award will recognise production and editorial values in live OB and actuality sports programming – event coverage (live and/or recorded), strand or individual programme. The entry should be either one continuous hour or an hour’s compilation of the coverage as transmitted but without editing to enhance for this submission. There can be a maximum of four extracts within the hour (a continuous clip which crosses an ad break is considered to be two extracts). If the sporting event crosses multiple days, extracts may come from more than one day. Each extract must be from the same programme and must be as transmitted and not specifically edited. Credit will not be given for material sourced from a host broadcaster.

Up to three entries per channel.

2019 nominations: MOTD 2018 World Cup: Quarter Final – England v Sweden (winner); Winter Paralympic Games; 2018 Ryder Cup

Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit

For the best work by a sports presenter or pundit/analyst either on location or in the studio, or a sports commentator on location. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items (this can include material from multiple episodes of the same series but each entrant can only be considered for a single programme title), in either case, the maximum running time is 15 minutes in total. Each excerpt must be as transmitted and not specifically edited. Only networked commentators are eligible.

Up to three entries per channel

2019 nominations: Osi Omenyiora – NFL This Week and The NFL Show (winner); Roy Keane – 2018 FIFA World Cup; Gary Lineker – MOTD: World Cup 2018

RTS Channel of the Year Award

This award recognises outstanding performance by a single broadcast channel or wider streaming service based in the UK during the award year. The channel or service 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. The judges will require evidence of attractive, original and fresh content in a video showcase compilation of no less than 3 minutes and no more than 10 minutes. They will also consider such supporting evidence based on viewer and user research and impact during the year which the channel presents to support its claims of success. In short, the winner will be the channel which, in the opinion of the judges, catches the mood of the moment.

2019 nominations: CBeebies (winner); BBC One; Channel 5

Judges’ Award

The Judges’ Award recognises an outstanding contribution to the UK’s television and media industry (excluding television journalism, which has its own Judges’ Award). This award can also recognise outstanding achievements which do not fit neatly into the standard categories. The winner can be an individual or a group. The award is in the gift of the Chair of the Awards, advised by the category chairs and will focus primarily on impact in the criteria year. A separate award (Outstanding Achievement) recognises achievements over an extended period. This award is not aimed at on-screen personalities for their on-screen work and cannot be awarded posthumously. Broadcasters cannot make direct entries for this award but suggestions are always welcomed.

Outstanding Achievement Award

This Award may be presented at the discretion of the Chair of the Awards, advised by the category chairs, for an outstanding broadcaster for an on-screen or off-screen achievement over a number of years in a career which demonstrates excellence. This Award cannot be awarded posthumously. Broadcasters cannot make direct entries for this award but suggestions are always welcomed.