Now into its fourteenth year, the Asian Television Awards (ATA) continues to build on its previous successes, last year attracting a strong response with 1,187 impressive entries from 13 countries. Launched in 1996, ATA is the Asian TV industry’s most significant and celebrated event, recognizing excellence in programming, production and performance. Determined by an expert panel of over 50 judges from across the region, the results are tabulated and audited by international auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, with the winners only announced during December’s Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The judging process has also been brought into the digital era by being conducted on-line. This is designed to lessen the judging workload and provide judges greater comfort and flexibility by enabling them to screen the entries at their own pace. The Awards comprise over 30 categories and represent the industry’s foremost recognition by enjoying the support of every major industry player throughout the region. ATA attracts a multitude of entries from a wide range of broadcasters, including free-to-air television stations and pay-TV platforms, as well as many independent production houses in Asia. ATA is positioned as the only event of its kind within the Asian region, and upholds a prestigious reputation of showcasing quality television production. In order to keep the Awards current and incorporate the latest programming trends, categories are reviewed annually according to industry demand. This year, two new award categories have been introduced, namely, Best Cross-Platform Content and Best Achievement in HD (High Definition) Format. Last year’s biggest winners were Singapore’s MediaCorp and Discovery Networks Asia Pacific which picked up Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year and Cable & Satellite Network of the Year respectively. Some of the biggest names in Asian television gathered at the Intercontinental Singapore on Thursday December 11 2008 for the 13th Asian Television Awards. Among the stars at the event were Hong Kong’s Raymond Lam, named best actor for his role in The Master of Tai Chi, and Bangkok’s Chiranan Manochaem, named best actress for her role in The Slave. “Personally, winning the Best Actor award at the ATA is a huge honour for me. Professionally, the award is a validation of the quality of Hong Kong actors and productions,” said Raymond Lam, Television Broadcasts Limited. Denise Lorraine Keller was the host for the evening, with guest presenters Al Jazeera English’s Veronica Pedrosa and CNBC Asia Pacific’s Martin Soong – who also took home the award for Best News Presenter or Anchor. MediaCorp Singapore took home the Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year Award, plus four awards from the Programme Categories, with two of Singapore’s top artistes, Guo Liang and Quan Yi Fong, jointly clinching the Award for Best Entertainment Presenter. “MediaCorp is very proud of our wins… It is proof of the quality and diversity of the local programming across our channels, and reinforces MediaCorp’s name as a trusted brand for quality entertainment,” said MediaCorp’s (then) head of corporate communications Florence Lian. Discovery Networks Asia Pacific took home a total of five awards, including the Cable & Satellite Network of the Year Award for the second year running. DNAP garnered a total of 15 awards and commendations from a record 23 nominations for awards in eight categories, topping its previous best of 17 nominations in 2007. Tom Keaveny, executive vice president and managing director, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “Being named ‘Cable & Satellite Network of the Year’ again is a great honour and a testament to the compelling, relevant and high-quality programming Discovery delivers to audiences across the region. In 2009 we will celebrate 15 years of broadcasting in Asia-Pacific and this is a wonderful way to kick off the new year.” CNN picked up ATA’s for flagship programmes CNN Today and Talk Asia, named Asia-Pacific’s Best News Program and Best Talk Show respectively. “This is a fantastic achievement that further underlines the quality of CNN International’s output from the Asia-Pacific region,” said Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director CNN International. “We at CNN are delighted to win two Asian TV Awards and this recognition by industry peers is a great honour,” added Ellana Lee, managing editor, CNN Asia Pacific. Al Jazeera English received the award for Best Current Affairs Programme for Inside Myanmar – The Crackdown. Al Jazeera English also received commendations in the categories of Best Documentary Programme and Best Current Affairs Programme. “The Asian Television Awards are among the most coveted in the region and our journalists have been justly rewarded for their in-depth and groundbreaking reporting,” said Tony Burman, managing director of Al Jazeera English. Other winners also had their say. “It is such an honour for the Japanese drama genre to be recognised and awarded in Asia, where people from around the world with different values gather,” Yoshihiro Suzuki, producer, Fuji TV which won Best Drama Series for Galileo. “Winning this award means a lot to us. Nothing compares to winning your first award…competing with the best television programs in the Asian region!” said Henri De Lorme, CEO/Producer, Euro-Asia Media Group Ltd, on winning Best Comedy Programme for Camera Café.