CATEGORIES

This award will go to the outstanding UK originated, comedy programme including ongoing series, or one offs of any duration.

Judges will be looking at the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). The programme will be judged for excellence and innovation along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience.

Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This award will recognise both high quality content and the partnerships that enabled it to be created.

Judges will be looking for innovative tie-ups that have editorial & commercial benefits for all parties involved.

The winner will be an excellent piece of content that required its producers to think creatively in putting together both the funding and the creative partnership.

Entries will require details of how the partnership came together, the roles of the different parties and how the collaboration’s success was measured. Judges will be looking for work that produced tangible benefits for audiences, such as inspiring learning or creating a legacy.

Examples could include collaboration with charities and organisations, advertiser-funded programming, online product placement, or more traditional co-production deals.

AFP or content partnerships that TXed on BBC1, BBC2, ITV, C4 or C5 are eligible to enter.

This award will go to an outstanding UK-originated, current affairs programme that is a standalone film, episode of a series or part of a strand.

Judges will be looking for a high-quality, talked-about piece of work that has made its mark and the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). It will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience.

Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel. The programme should reveal new insights or uncover new evidence and/or have successfully taken risks with access, subject matter, filming style or structure. Outstanding investigations or smart explanations of complex situations will be rewarded.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

This category will reward a digital project or initiative that is targeted at children aged 14 and under and is fun, enjoyable, and entertaining. 

Conventional TV shows that were commissioned for a qualifying channel (ie, not BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, C4 and C5) will be considered, but the judges will also factor in any other digital elements that accompany them.

Judges will be looking for evidence of the content's ability to inform, educate, or stretch the imagination, as well as its fundamental quality and entertainment credentials. Judges will consider the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate).

The programme will be judged for excellence and innovation along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience. Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch. 

This category will reward digital products / campaigns (including social media and marketing initiatives) that have significantly enhanced viewers’ experience of a programme.

The work could include an app or website and may include play-along elements.

The entry will have either provided the viewer with a more comprehensive understanding of a programme, helped to enhance their enjoyment or improved their perception.

The winner will be a product or campaign which is strategically conceived, well executed and proved successful with viewers.

This category will reward outstanding digital content that resulted in viewers becoming more engaged with a channel, strand or genre.

It could have elements of synchronicity, or different types of rich content, or integrate social media.

The judges will look for evidence of usage and how the app or website (including social media and marketing initiatives) has improved viewers’ perceptions and relationship with a channel, strand or genre.

This award will go to an outstanding UK-originated single documentary.

Judges will be looking for a talked-about piece of work that has made its mark in the schedule and the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). It will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience. Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

It should reveal new insights or uncover new evidence and/or successfully taken risks with access, subject matter, filming style or structure.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

(It should be a purely factual project, and formatted or factual entertainment shows should be entered into Best Popular Factual Programme)

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This award will go to an outstanding UK-originated documentary series.

Judges will be looking for a talked-about piece of work that has made its mark in the schedule and the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). It will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience. Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

It should reveal new insights or uncover new evidence and/or successfully taken risks with access, subject matter, filming style or structure.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

(It should be a purely factual project, and formatted or factual entertainment shows should be entered into Best Popular Factual Programme)

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This award will go to the outstanding UK-originated drama programme, including ongoing series, single dramas, or mini-series of whatever duration.

Judges will be looking at the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). The programme will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience.

Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This category is open to mixed-genre entertainment channels. Judges will look for innovation, creative programming, scheduling as well as a clear understanding of its target market. Evidence of audience appreciation, targeted marketing, viewing figures, and overall strength of the channel’s brand and content will support a successful entry. 

Where multi-genre channels are entered, only the entertainment content will be judged, and if you enter your channel for this category, it will not be eligible to enter Best Factual Channel.

This category will reward the UK-originated entertainment programme or series, deemed to be the outstanding original production effort in this genre.

Judges will take into account the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). The programme will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience. Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

(Includes comedy panel shows & live stand-up shows)

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This category is open to factually based channels.

Judges will look for innovation, creative programming, scheduling, and a clear understanding of its target market.
Evidence of audience appreciation, targeted marketing, viewing figures and overall strength of the channel’s brand and content will support a successful entry.

Where multi-genre channels are entered, only the factual content will be judged, and if you enter your channel for this category, it will not be eligible to enter Best Entertainment Channel.

This award will go to the outstanding UK-originated special, or ongoing series of whatever duration.

Judges will take into account the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). The programme will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience. Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

All forms of popular factual, factual entertainment and features programming are eligible, though straight documentaries should be entered in the new Best Documentary Programme category.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This category will recognise the best news, current affairs, or documentary programme to have debuted on an online platform.

A single short or a series of shorts can be entered.

Entries should be no longer than 20 minutes per episode. They will be judged on the quality of writing, production, performance and impact. The judges will also consider the extent to which they have been produced with an online medium in mind. The winning entry is also likely to have generated significant engagement from viewers.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This category will recognise the best factual or factual-entertainment format to have debuted on an online platform.

A single short or a series of shorts can be entered. Entries should be no longer than 20 minutes per episode.

They will be judged on the strength of the concept, quality of writing, production, performance and impact. The judges will also consider the extent to which they have been produced with an online platform in mind. The winning entry is also likely to have generated significant engagement from viewers.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This category will reward the best drama, best comedy, short or series of shorts to have debuted on an online platform.

Entries should be no longer than 20 minutes per episode. They will be judged on the quality of writing, production, performance and impact.

The judges will also consider the extent to which they have been produced with an online medium in mind. The winning entry is also likely to have generated significant engagement from viewers.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut. A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible

This category is open to all specialist or niche digital channels not covered in other categories and must serve a clearly identifiable audience or have a genre or thematic basis.

Judges will look for innovation, creative programming, scheduling, as well as a clear appeal to its specialist audience.

Evidence of audience appreciation, targeted marketing, viewing figures and overall strength of the channel’s brand and content will support a successful entry.

This award will go to an outstanding UK-originated, specialist factual programme.

Judges will be looking for a talked-about piece of work that has made its mark and the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). It will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience.

Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The programme should be high-quality and distinctive and may have an innovative approach to access, subject matter, filming style or structure.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

This award will go to the best coverage of a live event via TV, online, mobile or across a variety of platforms.

The event can include sports, music and other performances. Strong entries may include evidence of how TV coverage is supported by online content.

Judges will look for innovation, creative programming, scheduling, and a clear understanding of its target market.

Evidence of success will include audience appreciation, viewing figures, targeted marketing, site hits and relevant indicators.

Judges will look for innovation, creative programming, scheduling, and a clear understanding of its target market.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered on an eligible channel or platform (NOT BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, C4 or C5). Online platforms are fine (such as iPlayer, ITVX) so long as the events are not also going out on non-qualifying channels.

This award will go to an outstanding UK-originated NON-SCRIPTED true crime programme.

Judges will be looking for a talked-about piece of work that has made its mark and the contribution it has made to the commissioning brand’s performance in terms of audience, branding, profile and commercial success (where appropriate). It will be judged for excellence and innovation, along with the fit with the channel’s core brand and target audience.

Evidence of success will include audience performance, viewing figures, targeted marketing and overall contribution to the channel.

The programme should be sensitively produced and may demonstrate a clever approach to access, subject matter, filming style or structure.

The show must have been commissioned by, and had its first run on, a digital-only channel or a streaming service where the UK TX was simultaneous with the global launch.

The award goes to the outstanding channel of the last year and can be entered by any channel, including new entrants to the market.
The judges will look for evidence of the channel’s success in its market; its branding and connections to its audience, and originality in commissioning, scheduling and marketing.

(The channel must not be one of the original terrestrial channels, so BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are excluded. Non-PSB group channels are eligible to enter this category.)

This award goes to the outstanding channel that is not part of a PSB portfolio.

Judges will be looking for evidence of its success in its market, its branding, scheduling, commissioning and marketing. Data supporting the channel’s success will include audience numbers, commercial performance, commissioning and acquisition success and strong PR and marketing campaigns that have clearly supported and delivered for the channel’s brand.

Non-PSB group channels are also eligible to enter the main Channel of the Year​​​​​​.

Judges will be looking for an independent production company which, during the qualifying period, has demonstrated:

• An ability to deliver high-rating or over-indexing programming
• An ability to deliver critically acclaimed programming that enhances the reputation of the commissioning channel, brand or organisation
• A strong narrative in terms of commercial success, growth in terms of staff, or expansion into new genres
• Breadth of customers, including potentially short and long form programming for broadcasters, social media or VoD companies

All of these criteria will be applied only to programming supplied to channels, brands or organisations eligible for the Broadcast Digital Awards.

As part of your entry, you are required to upload a show reel comprised of work within the qualifying period (3-minute limit) and three jpeg high res (300dpi) images/stills that represent your entry. These may be used in Broadcast Magazine if you are shortlisted.

This award will go to an outstanding programme that has made a real difference to a commercial channel that is not part of a PSB portfolio.
Judges will assess how the show has enhanced the channel’s performance and brand, taking into account audience performance, commercial performance (where appropriate) and the branding and marketing/PR success.

Judges will be looking for creative excellence, clever use of budget and clear evidence of the game-changing impact the show has made for the channel. Acquisitions are eligible for entry.

In order to be eligible, programming needs to have premiered via an on-demand platform ahead of its linear debut.

A show that is released on-demand simultaneously with a linear TX is NOT eligible