CCTV’s International English channel CCTV-9, Sky News TG24 (Italy) and Yes Italia were amongst the winners at the Hot Bird TV awards, which were handed out at a festive ceremony in Venice, Italy, where more than 150 TV channels from over 20 countries gathered for the occasion.
CCTV-9 won the Eutelsat Special Award for its innovation in programme production and arrangement, as well as its introduction and promotion of China to the world. Yes Italia, a new channel from public broadcaster RAI, won a prize in the ‘National Window’ section, while the Italian Sky news channel TG24 was awarded the ‘News Excellence Award’. A special ‘Viewers choice’ prize went to Duna TV of Hungary. Duna TV previously won the award in 2006 and 2008, and by winning it for the third time has set a new record.
In the various thematic categories, the winners were: Best HD channel: HD Suisse; Best children’s channel: TeleNyanya (TV Nanny), Russia; Best cinema channel: Wojna i Pokój TV, Poland; Best cultural channel: Zakon TV, Russia; Best documentary channel: Vremya, Russia; Best fiction channel: M-Net Action, South Africa; Best lifestyle channel: Body In Balance, Germany; Best music channel: Trace Topical, France; Best news channel: BBC Persian and Best sports channel: Sky Sport 24.
The event was created by Eutelsat in 1998 and is a recognition for channels broadcasting via its satellites. The objective of the competition is to highlight quality thematic television production and new concepts that capture audience attention and enrich the viewing experience.
An Award was also given to TivuSat, the new Italian platform using satellite to extend access to national Digital Terrestrial Television channels to homes beyond range of terrestrial reception.
In recognition of a new prize for thematic channels in Russia called ‘Golden Ray’, an Award was also bestowed on Vesti, the 24-hour news channel. Finally, in honour of their pioneering work in Europe on broadcasting and screening prestigious 3D events, an Award was given by Satexpo to Ciel Ecran, Opensky, dbw Communication and Eutelsat.
