The Award Categories

Children’s programming is enjoying a renaissance. What were the top animated titles and formats that broke through in the past 12 months? These are shows that either enjoyed widespread domestic success, or made an impact internationally with sales across the board.

TBI celebrates the top live-action children’s shows that have broken through in the past 12 months across both linear broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Some the finest storytelling of recent years has come in animated form and this award highlights the very best adult-oriented content out there, from hard-hitting series to comedic specials. 

As FAST TV grows its foothold worldwide, we celebrate those channels that have made the most entertaining or innovative use of this type of streaming distribution over the past 12 months.

Combining scripted and factual content can result in incredible results that both entertain and inform like no other genre. This award celebrates those at the cutting-edge of this hugely innovative category.

The future is factual, that much is clear. Streaming services and cable channels have upped the ante when it comes to multi-part factual series. TBI honours the programmes that have raised the bar in their execution, storytelling and/or access.

What was the outstanding documentary that had the most international impact over the last 12 months? We celebrate the shows that worked at home and then became a hit globally, sparking conversation around the world.

With new platforms opening up to cater specifically to short-form programming, and traditional players catching up with short-form commissioning of their own, this award recognises breakthrough content that is 15 minutes or less in length per episode.

This award highlights a company or individual who is making an outstanding contribution to improving on-screen and/or off-screen representation of LGBTQIA+, race, ethnicity, and/or disability. Whether a programme, an industry initiative or an ingenious solution to improve DEI on a broader level, this award salutes those who are making the content industry a more representative, fairer, and better place.

This category highlights an individual or company who has provided an outstanding next-generation solution to improve the way content is made. Whether embracing new tech to get a show delivered or introducing new work practices to reduce the environmental impact, this award honours those whose perseverance has inspired the industry.

As industry players seek to stand out from the crowd with original programming and big-ticket acquisitions, often launching across several territories at once, we award the series that launched with the most buzz and which created the greatest ratings, marketing, and social media impact.

This award acknowledges the creative prowess and production expertise that go into delivering shows that offer emotional engagement, entertainment and excitement for audiences.

Scripted series have again dominated many of the headlines over the past year and with this Award we honour the breakout series that has created the greatest impact around the world.

This award will go to a popular ongoing series that has shown great accomplishment across broadcast or streaming platforms this year.

Did your company's format cut through in the last year to become a global success? Whether a shiny-floor entertainment show, a structured reality hit or a gameshow that got remade in local markets, what was the standout international entertainment format of the past 12 months?

From the best-structured reality hits to observational documentary successes, what was the standout factual entertainment programme of the past 12 months?

TBI honours the new wave of reality programming gracing our screens across all mediums, ranging from re-worked classics to completely new ideas that offer entertainment and insights to all generations of viewers.

Does your distribution business employ a unique strategy that is cutting through and winning buyers over? Have you created a new financing model to power programming or leveraged technology to seal deals? TBI pays tribute to a distribution outfit raising the bar for what’s possible in the field.

Success is hard-won in the TV world. Repeated success is even harder. The Excellence in TV Award recognises an outstanding individual who has achieved the rare distinction of delivering, inspiring, or executing innovation time and again over the course of their career to date.

This special award recognises an executive who has made their mark on the content landscape across a specific area of expertise - from production and distribution to commissioning or technology - leaving the business in a better place because of their work.

Do you have a hot shot in your company who always delivers, coming up with the innovations and ideas that keep your business buzzing? This is an opportunity to recognise those individuals – some of whom may just be starting their TV careers – who are set for the top.