RTS Yorkshire Reveals Its Award Winners with BBC Yorkshire Leading On Wins at Awards Ceremony Held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds

With 18 categories in total, BBC Yorkshire led the way with six wins overall, followed by Air TV with three wins, and Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge bringing home two awards.

The prestigious RTS Yorkshire Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to “Team Leeds for Channel 4”, recognising the team behind the winning bid that secured Channel 4’s new national headquarters in the Yorkshire region.

The Royal Television Society’s (RTS) Yorkshire Centre celebrated the RTS Yorkshire Awards 2019 winners at a ceremony held on Friday 14th June at The Queens Hotel, Leeds, hosted by former Gogglebox star and Songs of Praise presenter Rev. Kate Bottley. Sponsors of the event included Channel 4; Channel 5, Daisybeck Studios; Screenskills; York St John University; Prime Studios; The Garden; True North Post; ITV Calendar; and Universal Production Music.

With 18 categories in total, BBC Yorkshire led the way with six wins overall, followed by Air TV with three wins, and Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge bringing home two awards. The prestigious RTS Yorkshire Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to “Team Leeds for Channel 4”, recognising the team behind the winning bid that secured Channel 4’s new national headquarters in the Yorkshire region.

The RTS Yorkshire Awards celebrate the best productions, and leaders in their craft across the region with categories including: Animation; Documentary Series; Drama; Factual Entertainment; Features; Independent Spirit; Low Cost Factual; News or Current Affairs Reporter; News or Current Affairs Story; News Programme; One to Watch; Original Digital Content; Presenter; Professional Excellence: Factual Post Production; Professional Excellence: Factual Production; Single Documentary; and Use of Music and Sound.

Lisa Holdsworth, RTS Yorkshire Vice Chair and Awards Chair, said “It’s been an exciting year for TV production in Yorkshire and that is reflected in the quality of this year’s nominations. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed a night of well-deserved celebration of not just the winners, but of the people and companies who make this region a centre of excellence.”

Please see below the full list of nominations and winners:

Animation

WINNER - Mr Shapeshifter Fettle Animation for The GW Theatre Company website

Judges’ comment on winner “The winning animation was an innovative way of communicating a difficult message. This was a complementary piece that would engage its target audience and lead to effective conversations and discussions.”

Nominees:

The Pets Factor True North Productions / Brass for CBBC
What's it like growing up mixed race in the UK? Fettle Animation for CBBC Newsround / BBC Africa’s What’s New

Documentary Series

WINNER – The Yorkshire Vet Daisybeck Studios / Motion Content Group for Channel 5

Judges’ comment on winner “This returning peak-time Channel 5 show gets better and better with every series. With great characters, excellent story-telling and stunning landscapes, it's a very high-quality series, beautifully shot and edited.”

Nominees:

999 Rescue Squad Air TV for W Channel – UKTV
Helicopter ER Air TV for Really - UKTV

Drama, sponsored by Screenskills

WINNER - Ackley Bridge The Forge Entertainment (Supported by Screen Yorkshire) for Channel 4

Judges’ comment on winner “The winner was contemporary, relevant and didn’t shy away from issues that others might avoid. It had a good ensemble cast and was well put together.”

Nominees:

· Emmerdale ITV Studios for ITV

· Bad Move Open Mike Productions for ITV

Factual Entertainment

WINNER - The Pets Factor True North Productions for CBBC

Judges’ comment on winner “The Judges were really impressed with this show – it was well made; pitched exactly right tonally for its audience; the graphics were an integral part of the show (not an add one) and the vets are really engaging. It can be hard to get the level right in terms of tone for children, but this show did it beautifully. We particularly liked the squwack alarm! It is also works tonally for adults and thus is a really good family show which - as we all know - is really hard to pull off these days! The judges' decision was unanimous. Well done to the whole team.”

Nominees:

· Britain’s Favourite Daisybeck Studios for Channel 5

· The Yorkshire Vet Daisybeck Studios / Motion Content Group for Channel 5

Features

WINNER - The Lakes with Paul Rose BBC Yorkshire for BBC

Judges' comment on the winner “This really impressed the judges for the value on screen for the amount of budget. It was beautifully made; the contributors were excellent; the use of archive was excellent, and the tone was pitched really well. The judges liked the presenter and thought he could do more! This was a gem on the list and the judges' decision was unanimous.”

Nominees:

· Shop Smart Save Money True North Productions for Channel 5

· Springtime on the Farm Daisybeck Studios for Channel 5

Independent Spirit, sponsored by Channel 4

WINNER - Air TV

Judges' comment on the winner "It has been an incredible year for Yorkshire’s production companies, making the judging extremely difficult. However, Air TV have gone from strength to strength building on their successes and showing genuine range and adaptability."

Nominees:

· True North Productions

· True Vision Yorkshire

Low Cost Factual

WINNER – Helicopter ER Air TV for Really – UKTV

Judges’ comment on winner “The jury thought the winner was a dramatic feast with great storytelling and access. It felt fresh and contemporary thanks to its great use of technology, superlative editing and well-pitched commentary. The highest praise was that it looks like a great show to work on.”

Nominees:

· A New Life In The Sun True North Productions for Channel 4

· Things We Love About Christmas Daisybeck Studios for Channel 5

News or Current Affairs Reporter

WINNER - Emma Glasbey Look North for BBC Yorkshire

Judges’ comment on winner “The judges thought this was a year of exceptionally strong entries. The winner’s reports were consistently strong, authoritative and well crafted. All the stories were told in a clear and compelling way. They were particularly impressed that the reporter chased down a reluctant interviewee in heels!”

Nominees:

· Helen Steel Calendar for ITV Yorkshire

· Sarah Corker Look North for BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News or Current Affairs Story

WINNER - Ford Investigation Inside Out for BBC Yorkshire

Judges’ comments on the winner “The winner is described by the judges as a strong piece of regional journalism that became a national story and made a difference. Tenacious journalism.”

Nominees:

· Paedophile Hunters Look North for BBC Yorkshire

· Persimmon Look North for BBC Yorkshire

News Programme, sponsored by York St John University

WINNER – Look North BBC Yorkshire for BBC

Judges’ comment on the winner:“The judges were impressed with the commitment to the story over many years and the courage to rip up the running order just hours before going on air when reporting restrictions were lifted, to deliver a whole programme to this one story. A complicated story was told extremely well and with great sensitivity.”

Nominees:

· Look North BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire for BBC

· Calendar ITV Yorkshire for ITV

One to Watch, sponsored by Channel 5

WINNER – Harry Lock True Vision Yorkshire

Judges’ comment on the winner "Harry has clearly impressed the people he works with, meeting their high production standards and exceeding their expectations. He’s a hard worker with a passion for what he does. A real asset to the industry."

Nominees:

· Emer Nugent Local TV ltd

· Jenny Ramsden Air TV

· Jonny McGuigan BBC Yorkshire

· Nicola Gilroy BBC East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire

Original Digital Content

WINNER - Ackley Bridge Snapchat Stories The Forge Entertainment / That Lot for Channel 4

Judges’ comment on the winner “The judges found this a very difficult category to agree a winner because the quality of submissions was very strong. The winner produced creative content which supported the broadcast series in a way that was innovative and entertaining, accurately targeted at its audience.”

Nominees:

· Fighting Shame True Vision Yorkshire for Guardian Documentaries

· No Filter BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire for BBC

Presenter

WINNER – Amy Garcia Look North for BBC Yorkshire

Judges’ comment on the winner “The judges considered that the winner presented a difficult story in a calm and sensitive way. They were on top of their material, took a very delicate, caring approach to interviews, but asked the questions viewers wanted asked.”

Nominees:

· Jane McDonald Cruising with Jane McDonald for Elephant House Studios for Channel 5

· Peter Levy Look North for BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Professional Excellence: Factual Post Production

WINNER - Richard Levy: Film Editor The Lakes with Paul Rose for BBC Yorkshire

Judges’ comment on the winner “From the stunning opening sequence onwards, this was a great entry. The editing could have relied on the pretty pictures, but it still had pace, engagement and great rhythm. The time-lapses between sequences were particularly beautiful and the use of music was perfection.”

Nominees:

· The Post-Production Team: Britain’s Favourite Daisybeck Studios for Channel 5

· Warren Baxter: Lead Editor Helicopter ER for Air TV for UKTV

Professional Excellence: Factual Production

WINNER - The Production Team Behind Closed Doors: Through the Eyes of the Child for True Vision Yorkshire for BBC Two

Judges’ comment on the winner “This programme had extraordinary access and handled all the contributors with transparency, honesty and integrity. It gave voice to those often silenced. The production clearly took its duty of care very seriously and strove for authenticity not sensationalism. Outstanding.”

Nominees:

· The Production Team Help the Animals at Christmas for Daisybeck Studios for Channel 5

· The Production Team How China Made It for Meridian Line Films for Discovery Asia and Youku

· Mark Graham: Camerawork The Lakes with Paul Rose for BBC Yorkshire

Single Documentary

WINNER - River Walks: A Nidderdale Adventure Air TV for BBC One / BBC Two

Judges’ comment on the winner “This is an absolutely delightful film which was stunningly shot. The presenter’s enthusiasm was contagious, and its production values were phenomenally high.”

Nominees:

· A Very British History - the Jews of Leeds BBC Yorkshire for BBC One

· Behind Closed Doors: Through the Eyes of the Child True Vision Yorkshire for BBC Two

Use of Music and Sound

WINNER - Harrison Spinks Advert – The True Bedmakers The Firm

Judges’ comment on the winner “The 30 seconds of this advert was perfectly complemented by the clever brass band music which was both contemporary and traditional. Yorkshire through and through.”

Nominees:

· M1: The Road That Made Britain Theme The Firm for Channel 5

· Tim Phillips: Ackley Bridge The Forge Entertainment for Channel 4

The RTS Yorkshire Outstanding Contribution Award

WINNER – Team Leeds for Channel 4

Judges’ comment on the winner “The judges are delighted to be recognising the considerable efforts of the team that brought Channel 4 to our region. RTS Yorkshire sees this as a game-changer moment and is thrilled to express its gratitude to the people who together delivered this brilliant outcome.”

About The Royal Television Society
From glamorous award ceremonies to lively debates, the RTS embraces all aspects of television, and is open to anyone with an interest in the medium.

As an educational charity, we encourage and celebrate work in television and its related fields, from finding out how the nation’s favourite shows are made in our Anatomy of a Hit series, to celebrating burgeoning talent at our annual Student Awards.

The industry’s most talented individuals give us an insight into the work that goes into making cutting edge contemporary TV. From Government ministers and CEOs to workshops with great runners, our events look at every part of the business.

Our annual Television Journalism, Programme, Craft and Design, and Student Awards celebrate achievements across the broadcasting industry.

Each year, we offer Television Production and Technology bursaries to help those from less affluent backgrounds get a foothold in the industry, and Masterclass sessions bring together students, academics and industry heads.

Global television leaders gather to discuss what the future holds for television at our London Conference or the RTS Cambridge Convention.

Alongside our engaged community of over 4,800 full members, the Society is supported by Britain and the world's biggest broadcasters, producers and consultants, including Principal Patrons BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Sky.

Originally founded as the Television Society in 1927, the Society was granted its Royal title in 1966 and HRH The Prince of Wales became Patron of the RTS in 1997.

Today, 15 regional and national groups curate lively events and awards around the UK and Ireland, from Glasgow to Galway.

RTS Futures, which is aimed at those in their first two years of employment, organises an exciting roster of discussion, training and social occasions. Recent events have included workshops on learning how to format shows and how to survive as a freelancer, and expert panels explaining how to be the best researcher and how to make it on-screen.