Amanda Peppard, VP of Development, ActiveTV Australia (left) – who received the award on behalf of Michael McKay, and Matt Kowald, Series Post Producer, Seven Network Australia (right)
Sydney – ActiveTV’s co-production of Channel 7’s The Amazing Race Australia Series 2 has won the first ever Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) award for Best Reality Series. The series, hosted by Grant Bowler, was voted best out of The Voice, MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules.
Series Producer Matt Kowald and activeTV VP Development Amanda Peppard accepted the award on behalf of the recipients – Producers Michael McKay, Trent Chapman, David Gardner and Matt Kowald.
Executive Producer/Director Michael McKay spoke from overseas where he is on location for an Israeli version of The Amazing Race. “I’m very proud to be awarded alongside this team of great producers,” said McKay. “We are particularly thrilled to win the first ever award for Best Reality Series. It’s a testament to the Academy’s appreciation of the entire screen industry that they have introduced this new category.”
The first series of The Amazing Race Australia amassed a loyal following when it screened on the Seven Network in 2011 and went on to win an International Emmy last November.
The series is based on the The Amazing Race format created by Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri. ActiveTV also produces an Asian version which was nominated for an International Emmy in 2009 as well as races for Israel, the Philippines and a Ukrainian version. Active TV Asia is co-owned by van Munster (Profiles Television) with McKay.
