Channel of the Year Award nominees
The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today announced the shortlist for the 8th annual Channel of the Year Awards. The Festival received a record breaking number of votes, and for the first time, winners will be decided during a live vote at an awards ceremony hosted by comedian Michael McIntyre on Saturday 29 August 2009.
Dave, FX, BBC Three, E4 and Sky1 have been shortlisted in the Best Non-Terrestrial Channel of the Year category. The channels in the running for Best Terrestrial Channel of the Year are BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five. Over 20 non-terrestrial channels entered the Channel of the Year including Comedy Central, Living, MTV One, Fiver, Wedding TV, ITV2, More4, Sky Arts, Virgin1, Cbeebies and Sky News. View all the video entries online at www.mgeitf.co.uk
The Apprentice (BBC One) will go head to head with The X Factor (ITV1), Harry Hill’s TV Burp (ITV1), Top Gear (BBC Two), and the IT Crowd (Channel 4) in the Best Terrestrial Programme of the Year category.
The nominees for Best Non-Terrestrial Programme are Being Human (BBC Three), The Inbetweeners (E4), The Wire (FX), Red Dwarf: Back to Earth (Dave) and Ross Kemp Return to Afghanistan (Sky1).
Over 2,000 votes were cast by members of the public, festival delegates, industry professionals and The Network and Fast Track alumni via an online survey designed by YouGov. A total of five categories are being judged at this year’s award ceremony including Best Terrestrial Channel Of The Year, Best Non-Terrestrial Channel Of The Year, Best Terrestrial Programme Of The Year, Best Non-Terrestrial Programme Of The Year and The Network & Fast Track Choice Award.
The winner of Best Terrestrial and Best Non-Terrestrial Channel will be decided by a 50% live audience vote and 50% Festival Executive Committee vote while the Best Terrestrial and Best Non-Terrestrial Programme will be decided solely by an audience of industry peers on the night of the awards.
To vote -- register to attend the live ceremony and three day Festival at www.mgeitf.co.uk. The Festival audience will decide!
Notes to Editors:
Registration for the 2009 MGEITF is now open. The early bird rate of £425 + VAT is currently available until June 30. Click here for more information http://www.mgeitf.co.uk/home/mgeitf.aspx
A unique opportunity for individuals from across the media to share ideas, make new contacts and reconnect with friends and colleagues, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival offers delegates a varied programme of topical debates, one to one networking opportunities, masterclasses and keynote lectures from leading UK and international media figures. The Festival programme is developed by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from across the industry.
The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is a delegate entry event which annually attracts over 2000 delegates from all sectors and levels of the industry. To find out more, and to register, please visit www.mgeitf.co.uk
MGEITF is a charitable organisation which supports and develops new talent from all backgrounds through its two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track. Approximately one third of the delegate fees go towards supporting these initiatives.
Channel of the Year awards contact: Kam Kandola: kam@mgeitf.co.uk / 020 7843 0142
MGEITF Press Information:
Debra Johnson, Taylor Herring PR. Tel: 020 8206 5151 Email: debra.johnson@taylorherring.com