The Royal Television Society has opened entries for the RTS Programme Awards 2024. The closing date for submissions is Friday 8^th December 2023.

For 2023, the Soap & Continuing Drama category has been broadened to allow any drama series running across the year with at least 20 episodes to now be eligible to enter.

Kenton Allen, Chair of the RTS Programme Awards, said: “For 2024, we are delighted to welcome Cast & Crew as our new sponsor for the RTS Programme Awards. They are leaders in providing the entertainment industry with invaluable solutions and services that support productions by fueling efficiency and creativity, and we look forward to working with them to build an evening that celebrates the incredible programming and talent the UK television industry has to offer. This year is proving to be another year of outstanding creativity, and we have seen – and I am sure will continue to see – genre-defining, high-quality television hit our screens. The juries once again are likely to have some tough decisions to make!”

Entries are now accepted via the RTS website, and all programmes and performances should have been delivered, whether by broadcast or online streaming, between 1^st January 2023 and 31^st December 2023. In line with all RTS awards, the society stresses the need for all organisations to show awareness when selecting entries and recognise diversity in the industry and in the broader community.

The Awards, in partnership with Cast & Crew, will take place on Tuesday 26^th March 2024 at the Grosvenor, with nominations being announced in early March.

RTS Programme Awards 2024 Categories

Drama

Single Drama

The single drama should be submitted in full and should be in one complete and self-contained episode.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Life & Death In The Warehouse (winner); Then Barbara Met Alan; The House

Drama Series

For returning drama series. One episode should be submitted. Entries MUST be accompanied by full synopses of all other episodes in the series so that jurors can fully understand the context of the single episode they view.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Sherwood (winner); The Responder; Top Boy

Limited Series

For self-contained drama series with a closed-ended story arc. One episode should be submitted. Entries MUST be accompanied by full synopses of all other episodes in the series so that jurors can fully understand the context of the single episode they view.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Mood (winner); Anne; Chloe

Soap and Continuing Drama

For half-hour or hour-long multi-unit entities running throughout the year with at least 20 episodes within the criteria year. Three consecutive episodes should be submitted to demonstrate the soap’s consistency and continuing quality. Specials or late-night episodes should NOT be included. Jurors will give equal weight to their consideration of each episode.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Casualty (winner); EastEnders; Hollyoaks

Writer – Drama

Both original drama and adaptation can be entered. Single dramas should be submitted in full. For series and serials, please submit one episode only. Please include a shooting script with your online entry.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Lucy Prebble – I Hate Suzie Too (winner); Sharon Horgan – Bad Sisters; Will Smith – Slow Horses

Entertainment and Comedy

Scripted Comedy

For situation comedies, comedy dramas and sketch shows. Single programmes should be submitted in full. For series, please submit one episode.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Derry Girls (winner); Big Boys; Cunk On Earth

Comedy Drama

This category recognises the particular tone, intent and style of those narrative shows which blend comedy and humour with more dramatic elements and often serialised story telling across multiple episodes. Submitted series must have three or more episodes with a serialised narrative arc. There is no restriction on duration. Please submit one episode. Standalone pilot episodes may not be submitted. Programmes should be submitted in full.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Brassic (winner); Am I Being Unreasonable?; Cheaters

Entertainment

For formatted studio entertainment shows, competitive reality shows, quiz shows, game shows. Series (one episode only) and single programmes can be entered. Programmes should be submitted in full.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: The Traitors (winner); Joe Lycett’s Big Pride Party; The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan

Comedy Entertainment

For panel shows, talent-led talk shows, humour-led variety or competition shows and clip shows. Series (one episode only) and single programmes can be entered. Programmes should be submitted in full.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Friday Night Live (winner); Joe Lycett vs David Beckham, A Got Your Back Special; Sorry, I Didn’t Know

Writer – Comedy

For single writers or writing partnerships. Series (one episode only) and single programmes can be entered. Programmes should be submitted in full.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Lisa McGee – Derry Girls (winner); Jack Rooke – Big Boys; Sam Leifer & Tom Basden – Plebs: Soldiers of Rome

Performance

Leading Actor – Female

Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each actor can only be considered for a single programme title. Please identify in the accompanying notes the actor being judged.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Kate Winslet – I Am Ruth (winner); Billie Piper – I Hate Suzie Too; Monica Dolan – The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe

Leading Actor – Male

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Kit Connor – Heartstopper (winner); Chaske Spencer – The English; Kane Robinson – Top Boy

Supporting Actor – Female

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Ambika Mod – This Is Going To Hurt (winner); Adelayo Adedayo – The Responder; Saffron Hocking – Top Boy

Supporting Actor – Male

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Adeel Akhtar – Sherwood (winner); Stephen Merchant – Four Lives; Stephen Walters – Anne

Entertainment Performance

For hosts, comperes and panellists performing as themselves in a pure entertainment format, e.g. chat shows, panel shows and ‘shiny floor’ studio shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each performer can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Claudia Winkleman – The Traitors (winner); Jordan Stephens – Don’t Hate The Playaz; Mo Gilligan – The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan

Comedy Performance (Female)

For female actors/performers in sitcom, comedy drama and sketch shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each performer can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Daisy May Cooper – Am I Being Unreasonable (winner); Leah Brotherhead – Hullraisers; Rose Matafeo – Starstruck

Comedy Performance (Male)

For male actors/performers in sitcom, comedy drama and sketch shows. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each performer can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Lenny Rush – Am I Being Unreasonable? (winner); Jon Pointing – Big Boys; Samson Kayo – Bloods

Presenter

For presenters (not performers in an entertainment show) in broadcast programmes, online and streamed services. Judges will focus on the ability to communicate with the viewer and, by doing so, add impact to the programme rather than reporting or interviewing techniques. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each presenter can only be considered for a single programme title. Sports presenters should be entered into the Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit category.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Ramita Navai – Afghanistan: No Country For Women (winner); Huw Edwards – The State Funeral of HM The Queen Elizabeth II; Martin Lewis – The Martin Lewis Money Show Live

Breakthrough Award

For recognition of the emergence of a significant new on-screen talent. Judges will consider the personal impact and the recognition of that impact during the awards year. There is no age limit and it may well be that the entrant has been a member of a successful team for several years but has only now achieved personal recognition. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. This can include material from multiple episodes of the same series, but each entrant can only be considered for a single programme title.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Lenny Rush – Am I Being Unreasonable? (winner); Eddie Kadi – Sorry, I Didn’t Know; Nicôle Lecky – Mood

Factual

History

For series and single programmes about History, including, where appropriate, dramatic reconstruction of historical events. “Series” in this category does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title) but only to programmes conceived and transmitted as an entity, even though each separate programme may be complete in itself. A single programme which is part of a broader strand may be entered as a single programme. New and recurring History formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Formatted Popular Factual. An entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered in another Factual category.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Our Falklands War: A Frontline Story (winner); Aids: The Unheard Tapes; Italia 90: Four Weeks That Changed The World

Science & The Natural World

For series and single programmes exploring the Natural World and Science. Jurors will be asked to give equal weight to programmes from both genres. “Series” in this category does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title) but only to programmes conceived and transmitted as an entity, even though each separate programme may be complete in itself. A single programme which is part of a broader strand may be entered as a single programme. New and recurring Science & The Natural World formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Formatted Popular Factual. An entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered in another Factual category.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: The Green Planet (winner); My Dead Body; My Garden of a Thousand Bees

Arts

For series and single programmes within the Arts genre. “Series” in this category does not refer to a programme strand (a collection of unrelated programmes grouped together under a generic title) but only to programmes conceived and transmitted as an entity, even though each separate programme may be complete in itself. A single programme which is part of a broader strand may be entered as a single programme. New and recurring Arts formats should be entered into this category rather than Documentary or Formatted Popular Factual. An entire single programme or one episode of a series should be entered as representative of that series. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered in another Factual category.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: The Evolution of Black British Music (winner); The Ghost of Richard Harris; This Is Joan Collins

Single Documentary

For programmes conceived as either a single documentary or a one-off programme that is part of a documentary strand. The programme must be submitted in full. This category is aimed at documentaries of a general nature, including religious, business or other specialist journalism. History, Science & The Natural World, and Arts programmes cannot be submitted in this category but should be entered in the specialist categories.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: The Tinder Swindler (winner); Dying To Divorce; Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert

Documentary Series

For a series which has a continuous narrative or is linked by a central theme. One episode should be submitted. Entries must be accompanied by a complete list of other programmes in the series within the Awards year. This category is aimed at documentaries of a general nature, including religious, business or other specialist journalism. History, Science & The Natural World, and Arts programmes cannot be submitted in this category but should be entered in the specialist categories.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Gazza (winner); Big Oil vs The World; Jeremy Kyle Show: Death On Daytime

Formatted Popular Factual

This category is for originality in developing and delivering constructed factual content aimed at the widest possible audience. It is likely, though not necessary, that such formatted factual shows will be pre-watershed. One episode of a series should be entered as representative of that format and series. Subject matter could include – for instance – cookery, fashion, consumer, travel but also such shows as The Undateables, The Apprentice, SAS Who Dares Wins, Long Lost Family. Programmes entered into this category may NOT be entered into another Factual category. History, Science & The Natural World, and Arts programmes cannot be submitted in this category but should be entered in the specialist categories.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Gogglebox (winner); Idris Elba’s Fight School; The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit

Daytime Programme

For the purposes of this Award, the RTS considers Daytime to run from 6.00am to 7.00pm. For programmes lasting longer than an hour, up to one hour of continuous programming (NOT edited highlights) should be submitted.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Loose Men (winner); Come Dine With Me The Professionals; Scam Interceptors

Children’s

Children’s Programme

Series (one episode) and single programmes can be entered for children’s factual, entertainment, animation, drama and comedy programmes. Programmes must have been commissioned and produced specifically for the child audience and broadcast during children’s airtime or on a dedicated children’s channel.

Up to six entries per broadcaster, of which at least two must be produced by independent production companies.

2023 nominations: Dodger (winner); COP27: Six Ways To Save Our Planet; Corpse Talk

Live Event

For network broadcast or streamed live events which are not sport. Entries should be a 30 minute compilation of coverage as transmitted, with a maximum of six extracts included. If the event crosses multiple days, the extracts may come from more than one day. Each extract must be as transmitted and not re-edited for these awards. Entries will be judged on the quality of the coverage, not on the importance or excitement of the event. The entry should reflect the full range of the coverage. The focus will be on the commentary, pictures and sound, what was shown or not shown, editing, packaging and presentation.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: The State Funeral of HM The Queen Elizabeth II (winner); Glastonbury 2022; Platinum Party At The Palace

Sport

Sports Programme

The Award will recognise production and editorial values in live OB and actuality sports programming – event coverage (live and/or recorded), strand or individual programme. The entry should be either one continuous hour or an hour’s compilation of the coverage as transmitted but without editing to enhance for this submission. There can be a maximum of eight extracts within the hour (a continuous clip which crosses an ad break is considered to be two extracts). If the sporting event crosses multiple days, extracts may come from more than one day. Each extract must be from the same programme and must be as transmitted and not specifically edited. Credit will not be given for material sourced from a host broadcaster.

Up to six entries per broadcaster.

2023 nominations: Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (winner); Winter Paralympics: Today In Beijing; Women’s Euro 2022

Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit

For the best work by a sports presenter or pundit/analyst either on location or in the studio, or a sports commentator on location. Please submit a single extract or a portfolio of items (this can include material from multiple episodes of the same series but each entrant can only be considered for a single programme title), to a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes. Each excerpt must be as transmitted and not specifically edited. Only networked commentators are eligible.

Up to five entries per channel.

2023 nominations: Ade Adepitan – Winter Paralympics 2022 (winner); Gabby Logan – Women’s Euro 2022; Roy Keane – FIFA World Cup 2022

Judges’ Award

The Judges’ Award recognises an outstanding contribution to the UK’s television and media industry (excluding television journalism, which has its own Judges’ Award). This award can also recognise outstanding achievements which do not fit neatly into the standard categories. The winner can be an individual or a group. The award is in the gift of the Chair of the Awards, advised by the category chairs and will focus primarily on impact in the criteria year. A separate award (Outstanding Achievement) recognises achievements over an extended period. This award is not aimed at on-screen personalities for their on-screen work and cannot be awarded posthumously. Broadcasters cannot make direct entries for this award but suggestions are always welcomed.

Outstanding Achievement Award

This Award may be presented at the discretion of the Chair of the Awards, advised by the category chairs, for an outstanding broadcaster for an on-screen or off-screen achievement over a number of years in a career which demonstrates excellence. This Award cannot be awarded posthumously. Broadcasters cannot make direct entries for this award but suggestions are always welcomed.