BPG honours Bebo innovation

Social networking site Bebo has won the Innovation Award in the 34th Broadcasting Press Guild Television and Radio Awards. The site was honoured for its online drama KateModern, which began its second season this year with the death of the central character, and a call for users to help solve the mystery.

The award for the best multi-channel programme went to Falklands: the Islanders’ War, on the History Channel. An insightful documentary that told the story of the Argentine invasion from the perspective of the islanders themselves.

In a surprise award, Eileen Atkins was named Best Actress, beating Judi Dench who starred with her in the BBC series Cranford. The Sunday night costume drama won a total of four awards including Best Actor for Philip Glenister, who was also named for his role as Gene Hunt in Life on Mars.

The Broadcasting Press Guild is made up of around 100 journalists that specialise in the media including writers for the national press and trade titles. The awards will be presented during a lunch to be held today at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London and sponsored by Turner Broadcasting, home to channels CNN International, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.

The full list of winners is:

Best Single Drama
Boy A
(Cuba Pictures for Channel 4)

Best Drama Series
Cranford
(BBC Drama and WGBH Boston, in association with Chestermead, for BBC One)

Best Comedy/Entertainment
Gavin and Stacey
(Baby Cow for BBC Two and BBC Three)

Best Single Documentary/Factual Programme
Malcolm and Barbara: Love’s Farewell (Paul Watson for ITV1)

Best Documentary/Factual Series
Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain
(BBC Current Affairs for BBC Two)

Best Factual Entertainment Programme
Top Gear
(BBC production for BBC Two)

Best Actor
Philip Glenister
(Mr Carter in Cranford, Gene Hunt in Life on Mars, for BBC One)

Best Actress
Eileen Atkins
(Miss Deborah in Cranford, Madama Fidolia in Ballet Shoes, for BBC One)

Best TV Performer in a Non-acting Role
Andrew Marr
(The Andrew Marr Show, BBC One, and Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain, BBC Two)

Writer’s Award
Heidi Thomas
(Cranford, Ballet Shoes and Lilies for BBC One)

Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Simon Mayo
(The Simon Mayo Programme, BBC News for BBC Radio 5 Live)

Radio Programme of the Year
Adam and Joe
(BBC Radio production for BBC 6 Music)

Multichannel Award
Falklands: The Islanders’ War
(Point of View for the History Channel)

Innovation Award
Bebo
(LG15 Studios for Bebo)

Harvey Lee Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting Phil Redmond, Founder & Chief Executive, Mersey Television (Grange Hill, BBC One; Brookside, Channel 4; Hollyoaks, Channel 4)