October 2012

Message from the Chair.

Dear Colleague

RTS PROGRAMME AWARDS 2012

I am delighted to be chairing the RTS Programme Awards again this year. These are one of the gold standard awards in our industry and are an important showcase of the extraordinary talent evident across all genres in British television.

We have taken on board feedback from programme makers and broadcasters following last year’s awards. 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 television schedules. This year the existing categories remain unchanged but we have added a new category:

• Live Event: The submitted entry should be a 30 minute compilation of the coverage as transmitted.  There can be a maximum of three extracts within the 30 minutes. Each extract must be as transmitted and not specifically edited for these awards. The entry must have been networked. The 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, punditry and presentation.  This category includes coverage of live sport.  Credit will not be given for material sourced from a host broadcaster.  Up to three entries per channel.

I should also like to remind you about the aim of the Nations and Regions Programme award:

• Nations and Regions Programme: we are looking for programmes that fully reflect the nation or region where they were produced, whether intended for network or local broadcast. It is essential that each entry captures the ideas, cultures and issues of the area in which they are made.

 

Please refer to the full Programme Awards criteria before submitting your entries.  If you have any queries on the criteria or conditions of entry, then please contact Lindsey Cran on 020 7822 2825 or Lindsey@rts.org.uk.

 I look forward to seeing what I am sure will be a fantastic set of entries.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

David Liddiment

Chair, RTS Programme Awards

 

Drama

 

Single Drama

The single drama should be submitted in full.  This is for dramas transmitted as a single piece.

Up to three entries per channel.

Drama Serial

For a drama with a continuous story, but with a finite end.  Two-part dramas should be submitted in this category.  Two consecutive episodes must be submitted. All entries in this category must be accompanied by information on the other episodes within the serial.

Up to three entries per channel.

Drama Series

A drama series may be defined as having continuing characters in self-contained stories.  Two consecutive episodes must be submitted.

Up to three entries per channel.

Soap and Continuing Drama

This Award is intended for half hour or hour long multi-unit entities running throughout the year with one or more episode per week.  Three consecutive episodes should be submitted (specials/late night episodes should NOT be submitted) to demonstrate the soap’s consistency and continuing quality.

Up to three entries per channel (please note that jurors will give equal weight to their consideration of each episode).

Writer – Drama

This category covers original drama and adaptation. Single dramas should be submitted in full.  For series and serials, please submit one episode only.  Please provide a shooting script (electronically only) to accompany the entry tape.

Up to four entries per channel.

 

Entertainment and Comedy

 

Scripted Comedy

This Award is intended 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.

Entertainment

Series (one episode) and single programmes can be entered.

Up to three entries per channel.

Writer – Comedy

One-offs should be submitted in full. For series, please submit one episode only.

Up to four entries per channel.

Performance

 

Actor (Female)

Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items, both no longer than 30 minutes in total.  Please identify in the accompanying notes the actor being judged.

Up to five entries per channel.

Actor (Male)

Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items, both no longer than 30 minutes in total.  Please identify in the accompanying notes the actor being judged.

Up to five entries per channel.

Entertainment Performance

This Award is aimed at hosts, comperes and panellists performing as themselves (e.g. Harry Hill, Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly) 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, both no longer than 30 minutes in total.

Up to five entries per channel.

Comedy Performance

This Award is for actors/performers in sitcom, comedy drama and sketch shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items, both no longer than 30 minutes in total.

Up to five entries per channel.

 

 

Presenter

This Award is for presenters only, not performers in an entertainment show. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items, both no longer than 30 minutes in total.

Up to five entries per channel plus one per broadcaster from a nation or region.

 

Factual

 

History

Series and single programmes can be entered within the History genre.  Series does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title), but only to programmes which may be self-contained within themselves, but have been conceived as a series.  A programme which is part of a single programme strand may be entered as a single programme in this category.  New and recurring History formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Constructed Factual Series.  The entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series.  Dramatic reconstructions of historical events may be entered into this category.  Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered into another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Science & Natural History

Series and single programmes can be entered within the Science & Natural History genre.  Series does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title), but only to programmes which may be self-contained within themselves, but have been conceived as a series.  A programme which is part of a single programme strand may be entered as a single programme in this category. New and recurring Science & Natural History formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Constructed Factual Series.  The 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 into another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Arts

Series and single programmes can be entered within the Arts genre.  Series does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title), but only to programmes which may be self-contained within themselves, but have been conceived as a series.  A programme which is part of a single programme strand may be entered as a single programme in this category. New and recurring Arts formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Constructed Factual Series.  The 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 into another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Single Documentary

This category is designed for programmes conceived as a single documentary or as a one-off programme that is part of a documentary strand.  The Single Documentary should 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 into this category.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Documentary Series

This category is designed for a series which usually has a continuous narrative or is linked by a central theme. Two programmes as representative of the series must be submitted.  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 into this category. Any entry in this category must be accompanied by a list of other programmes in the series within the Awards year.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Popular Factual and Features

For originality and innovation in popular factual and features programmes.  Programmes entered into this category would be normally, but not necessarily, pre-watershed.  Programmes can feature presenters or be expert-led and may include formatted or magazine programmes.  Subject matter could include (but is not limited to): cookery, property, fashion, consumer, motoring, travel etc. Eg. The Great British Bake Off, Don’t Tell The Bride .  History, Science & Natural History and Arts programmes cannot be submitted into this category.  One episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series.  Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered into another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Daytime Programme

For the purposes of this Award, the RTS considers Daytime to run from 6.00am to 7.00pm. Programmes already entered into another category cannot be entered into this category.  One episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series.  History, Science & Natural History and Arts programmes cannot be submitted into this category.   For programmes lasting longer than an hour, up to one hour of continuous programming (NOT edited highlights) should be submitted.  Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered into another Factual category.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Children’s Awards

 

Children’s Drama

Series (one episode) and single programmes can be entered for children’s drama programmes. Programmes must have been commissioned and produced specifically for the child audience, and broadcast during children’s airtime.

Up to three entries per channel, including digital channels.

 

Children’s Programme

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

Up to three entries per channel, including digital channels.

 

 

Nations and Regions

 

Nations and Regions Programme

This Award is intended to cover all programming except News or Current Affairs programmes. It is confined to programmes made in the nations and regions, and must reflect the nation or region where it was produced, whether it was produced for the network or for regional transmission. The judges will be seeking programmes across a range of genres which exploit and demonstrate the ideas, cultures and issues of the area in which they are made – whether intended for full or limited network broadcast.  For example, programmes ranging from The Scheme  and Snowdonia 1890 to Shameless and Taggart.  Series and single programmes can be entered within this category. The entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes already entered into another category cannot be entered into this category

Up to three entries per broadcaster.

 

Live Event

 

The submitted entry should be a 30 minute compilation of the coverage as transmitted.  There can be a maximum of three extracts within the 30 minutes. Each extract must be as transmitted and not specifically edited for these awards. The entry must have been networked. The 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, punditry and presentation.  This category includes coverage of live sport.  Credit will not be given for material sourced from a host broadcaster .  Up to three entries per channel.

 

International Award

 

This Award is for single programmes or series acquired from the international marketplace, covering all genres. Entries submitted must have been first transmitted in the UK on the entrant’s channel between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012. The entire programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series.

Up to three entries per channel.

 

Judges’ Award

 

This Award is presented in recognition of an outstanding contribution to UK television programming (excluding Television Journalism), either during the criteria year or over a number of years, by an individual or a group.  At their discretion the Judges can use the Award to recognise other outstanding achievements which do not fit neatly into any other category.  This Award is not intended for on-screen personalities and cannot be awarded posthumously.  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 may be presented at the discretion of the Judges for an outstanding broadcaster for an on-screen or off-screen achievement over a number of years. This Award cannot be awarded posthumously.  It is in the gift of the Judges and cannot be entered by broadcasters, although suggestions would be welcome.

 

 

 

Conditions of Entry

 

• Entries must have first been transmitted between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012 in the UK.

• Entries must have been pre-selected by the broadcaster/channel (independent production companies cannot submit entries without pre-selection)

• Entries, except in the nations and regions categories, must have been networked.

• All entries, other than those for the International Award, must be either produced in the UK or, in the case of international co-productions, the UK company must have had significant editorial as well as financial input.

• All entries (including for the International Award) must NOT have had a theatrical release prior to broadcast in the UK.

• Closing Dates: Entries broadcast prior to 31 October 2012 must reach the RTS Head Office by Friday 30 November 2012.  Entries broadcast between 1 November 2012 and 31 December 2012 must be received by Wednesday 2 January 2013.  Entries broadcast after 31 October may be substituted for entries already put forward – to ensure that the number of entries in the category does not exceed the specified number.

• Entries must be submitted on either HD Cam, DigiBeta (16:9 Anamorphic) or well-encoded first generation DVD (PLEASE ENSURE THAT ANY DVDS ARE CHECKED FOR QUALITY PRIOR TO SUBMISSION). Entry material must be clearly marked with the programme and category entered.  Please be aware that should your entry receive a nomination, your 30 second nomination clips will be projected on the large screen at the ceremony in HD – to avoid your nomination looking substandard on the screen compared to other entries, we would encourage you to adhere to the following delivery requirements:  the ideal delivery format for nomination clips is DNXHD (both 120 and 185 are acceptable), supplied on an SSD hard drive, with all sound a stereo final mix.  Alternatively, nomination clips can be accepted on HD Cam.

• Each entry must be submitted on a separate cassette or DVD.

• It would be helpful, but not essential, if entries could have a leader identifying the programme, category and running time.

• The RTS will reserve the right to call for no more than one extra entry per company, if it is felt there is a significant omission.  In the case of the Judges' Award, individual juries may put forward additional recommendations to the main panel.

• Programmes which have been or will be entered for the Television Journalism Awards are also eligible for submission to the Programme Awards but only if the broadcaster/channel can demonstrate a clear overlap.

• The RTS reserves the right to move programmes between categories.  Initial acceptance of an entry does not guarantee its eligibility in the category for which it was entered.

Each entry submitted must be accompanied by an entry form and cheque for £335.00 + £67.00 VAT.  This excludes written suggestions for the Judges’ Award or Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

The Royal Television Society will take all reasonable care of the entries submitted, but cannot accept responsibility for non-receipt, loss or damage.

Tapes will not be returned unless specifically requested.

 

Please send your entries to:

RTS Programme Awards, Royal Television Society, 3 Dorset Rise, London, EC4Y 8EN

Tel: 020 7822 2810   Fax: 020 7822 2811

In the event of any queries, please contact Lindsey Cran, Events Manager

 Programme Awards 2012 - Entry Form

 

Please complete all sections of the form, completing a separate form for each entry and using BLOCK CAPITALS.

 

CATEGORY...............................................................................................................................................

 

PROGRAMME TITLE (and series, if appropriate) OR PERFORMER

………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….…..……..

 

DURATION OF ENTRY(must be stated).................................................................................................

 

DATE OF TRANSMISSION OF ENTRY(must be stated)........................................................................

 

TIME OF TRANSMISSION OF ENTRY......................………………………………………………………...

 

NAME OF INDIVIDUAL/S WHO WILL COLLECT AWARD SHOULD THE ENTRY BE SUCCESSFUL:

....................................................................................................................................................................

 

BROADCASTER/PRODUCTION COMPANY (please ensure all independent production companies are named)

...................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

 

CONTACT NAME…………………………………………..…………………………………..…………….…..

 

ADDRESS..................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

 

....................................................................POSTCODE..........................................................................

 

TEL. NO..................................................FAX NO..............................……………………...……………….

 

E-MAIL……………………………………………………………..……………………………………………….

 

I enclose a cheque payable to RTS Enterprises Ltd for .............................................................................

(£335.00 + £67.00 VAT per entry).   A VAT receipt will be issued on receipt of payment.  Purchase orders should be made out to RTS Enterprises Ltd.  Please ensure that a hard copy of your purchase order is supplied with your entry form.

 

Please attach any additional information that will be of assistance to the Judges.

 

 ALL ENTRIES MUST BE PRE-SELECTED BY THE BROADCASTER -  please see Conditions of Entry .

 

Please complete the above form carefully as the information is used in the compilation of awards and certificates should you be nominated.

 

The entrant is aware that breaches of the rules will, except in extenuating circumstances, result in disqualification.  Ignorance of the rules or innocent non-compliance is no defence.  You are strongly advised to ensure that all entries are double-checked to ensure compliance.

 

 

Print Name…………………………….……  Signed…………………………………………….………

 

 

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