Finalists in the industry-voted categories of the 2014 ASTRA Awards have been announced, with more than 50 contenders across 15 categories representing 20 subscription television channels.
FOX SPORTS received the highest number of nominations, scoring 10 nominations across four categories.
The announcement of finalists in the 15 industry-voted categories has been brought forward on the entertainment calendar, because in 2014 – for the first time – the awards will be staged in March instead of mid-year, in line with other entertainment and media industry events.
“The number of entries was up 30 percent this year, reflecting the growing diversity and quality of content screened on subscription television in 2013,” ASTRA CEO, Andrew Maiden, said today.
“The Australian subscription television industry invests $700 million in Australian content, producing more than a quarter of a million hours of Australian television each year.
“The 2014 ASTRA Awards will recognise the quality, diversity and creativity of that content,” Mr Maiden said.
The awards were judged on Monday, 9 December by 52 senior leaders drawn from Foxtel and 19 independently owned and operated television channels.
The 12th annual ASTRA Awards will take place at Sydney’s Carriageworks in Redfern on Thursday, 20 March 2014.
Two new awards – the industry-voted sports entertainment program award and a channel achievement award – will be presented for the first time.
Finalists in the five subscriber-voted categories of the 12th ASTRA Awards will be announced on Monday, 3 February when voting opens to the public.
ASTRA’s Industry Excellence Awards will be announced on Monday, December 16.
For more information, visit astraawards.com and share your comments and congratulations @astraevent #ASTRAS
Finalists in the industry-voted categories of the 12th ASTRA Awards are:
Most Outstanding Children’s Content
- Disney Channel FanFest TV Special Event (Disney Channel)
- Squeak & Boo (Disney Junior)
- Play Along with Sam (Nick Jr.)
Most Outstanding Music Program
- Kings Of Leon On Sydney Harbour (Channel [V])
- STUDIO at the MEMO (STUDIO)
- The Riff (Channel [V])
Most Outstanding Sports Program
- The Code – Life With The Mariners (FOX SPORTS)
- The DHL Australia 2013 Lions Tour (FOX SPORTS)
- Socceroos’ 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign (FOX SPORTS)
- Friday Night Footy on FOX (FOX FOOTY)
- 2012/13 Hyundai A-League (FOX SPORTS)
Most Outstanding Sports Entertainment Program
- Monday Night with Matty Johns (FOX SPORTS)
- RUGBY HQ (FOX SPORTS)
- Open Mike (FOX FOOTY)
- AFL 360 (FOX FOOTY)
- Sunday Shootout (FOX SPORTS)
Most Outstanding Factual Program
- Australia: Life On The Edge (National Geographic Channel)
- Building Australia (HISTORY)
- Breaker Morant – The Retrial (HISTORY)
- The People Speak (HISTORY)
- Abalone Wars (Discovery Channel)
Most Outstanding News Program
- Witness to Courage [CNN International’s Coverage of Typhoon Haiyan] (CNN International)
- Election 2013 Coverage (SKY NEWS National)
- Paul Murray Live (SKY NEWS National)
Most Outstanding Reality Program
- Geordie Shore Season 6 – No Delay from the UK! (MTV Australia)
- Australia’s Next Top Model, Season 8 (FOX8)
- Camp Orange: Spill Seekers (Nickelodeon)
Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program
- Paddock to Plate (The LifeStyle Channel)
- Selling Houses Australia (The LifeStyle Channel)
- Grand Designs Australia (The LifeStyle Channel)
Most Outstanding General Entertainment Program
- Aussie Pickers (A&E)
- Oprah’s Next Chapter (Discovery Home & Health)
- SLIMEFEST 2013 (Nickelodeon)
Most Outstanding Australian Drama
- Top of the Lake (UKTV)
- Wentworth (SoHo)
Most Outstanding Use of Innovation
- Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda (Discovery Channel)
- Ref Cam (FOX SPORTS)
- Rugby on FOX SPORTS (FOX SPORTS)
Most Outstanding Performance By An Actor – Male
- Peter Mullan, Top of the Lake (UKTV)
- David Wenham, Top of the Lake (UKTV)
- Aaron Jeffery, Wentworth (SoHo)
- Robbie Magasiva, Wentworth (SoHo)
Most Outstanding Performance By An Actor – Female
- Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake (UKTV)
- Danielle Cormack, Wentworth (SoHo)
- Nicole da Silva, Wentworth (SoHo)
- Kris McQuade, Wentworth (SoHo)
Most Outstanding Performance By A Broadcast Journalist
- Kieran Gilbert, AM Agenda, Election Coverage (SKY NEWS)
- Ahron Young, News Coverage (SKY NEWS)
- Daniel Bourchier, News Coverage (SKY NEWS)
- David Speers, PM Agenda, The Nation, Election Coverage (SKY NEWS)
- Gerard Whateley, AFL 360 (FOX FOOTY)
Most Outstanding New Talent
- Shareena Clanton, Wentworth (SoHo)
- Sam Moran, Play Along With Sam (Nick Jr.)
- Kelli Underwood, Back Page LIVE and ANZ Championship (FOX SPORTS)
About the ASTRA Awards
The ASTRA Awards reward the creativity, diversity and quality of the Australian subscription television industry. A total of 22 awards voted by subscribers and industry experts recognise the best content and presenters on more than 100 subscription television channels. Follow us on Twitter at @astraevent and on Facebook at fb.com/astraawards. For more information visit www.astraawards.com.
About ASTRA
ASTRA is the peak body representing more than 30 organisations in the Australian subscription television industry. ASTRA members broadcast content to one in three Australians, invest $700 million in local content, add nearly $1.6 billion to the economy and create jobs for 6600 Australians. For more information visit www.astra.org.au.
For media enquiries about the 12th ASTRA Awards, please contact: astraawards@eckfactor.com or (02) 8570 5555
