Selling Houses Australia, Tangle, FOX Footy win at ASTRA Awards.

Shaynna Blaze was nearly upstaged by an inquisitive Burmese python at the 11th ASTRA Awards, but she managed to emerge intact as Selling Houses Australia took out three viewer-voted awards last night.

The LifeStyle Channel show won Favourite Program, Favourite Personality Female (Shaynna Blaze) and Favourite Personality Male (Andrew Winter).

Showcase drama Tangle also scored three awards including Most Outstanding Drama whilst FOX Footy channel won the top award, Channel of the Year, presented by True Blood star Joe Manganiello (it was a bit unfortunate True Blood missed out on any nominations). Manganiello apologised for not presenting shirtless.

ASTRA CEO Andrew Maiden said, “FOX Footy was a standout for the judges. It engaged audiences, reflected in ratings wins for 26 consecutive weeks. It introduced innovative technology such as ‘commentator cam’ to provide unique analysis and a ‘third eye’ goggle camera worn by umpires.”

Deborah Hutton hosted the proceedings which included performances from Baby Animals, Kate Miller-Heidke and Justice Crew. Top Model judge Charlotte Dawson hosted backstage proceedings while Hutton swung a golf club, firing off balls into the audience.

The night went by without any obvious hiccups, with best acceptance speeches from SKY News‘ Ahron Young, Channel [V]’s Marty Smiley and Selling Houses‘ Shaynna Blaze. Best presenter line went to River Cottage Australia‘s Paul West who joked he must be the first ASTRA presenter to milk a cow and present an award in the same day. Honourable mention goes to the sports star who told Dawson he had been busy rehearsing his “one line” he had to deliver in presenting an award.

Bill Collins received a standing ovation for his Lifetime Achievement Award, thanking Brian Walsh and Foxtel for their support.

Luke and Wyatt went for laughs with Luke dressed in a suit of armour in a Game of Thrones gag. They later won for “Slimfest” as announced by Molly Meldrum. Meldrum later revealed a ‘secret’ -that he was gay, with not a gasp to be heard anywhere.

But it was the after-party in the Sydney Theatre foyer that was the place to be, as stars, producers, execs and media mingled, with ASTRAs famous lolly-bar proving far too popular as guests loaded up on sugary sweets.

WINNERS:

CHANNEL OF THE YEAR
• FOX Footy

SUBSCRIBERS’ CHOICE
Favourite Program – International
• Kevin’s Grand Design (The LifeStyle Channel)

Favourite Program – International Drama
• Game of Thrones – series 2 (showcase)

Favourite Program – Australian
• Selling Houses Australia – series 5 (The LifeStyle Channel)

Favourite Personality – Female
• Shaynna Blaze (Selling Houses Australia, The LifeStyle Channel)

Favourite Personality – Male
• Andrew Winter (Selling Houses Australia, The LifeStyle Channel)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• Bill Collins

TALENT
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female
• Catherine McClements (Tangle – season 3, showcase)

Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male
• Lincoln Younes (Tangle – season 3, showcase)

Most Outstanding Performance by a Presenter
• Matt Shirvington (2012 London Olympic Games, Foxtel)

Most Outstanding Performance by a Broadcast Journalist
• Ahron Young (News coverage, SKY EWS)

Best New Talent
• Marty Smiley (The Riff, Channel [V])

PROGRAMMING & PRODUCTION
Most Outstanding Children’s Program or Event
• Didi and B (Nick Jr.)

Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program
• The Riff (Channel [V])

Most Outstanding Documentary
• Abalone Wars (Discovery Channel)

Most Outstanding Music Program or Coverage
• Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST (Nickelodeon)

Most Outstanding Reality Program
• Come Dine With Me Australia – series 4 (The LifeStyle Channel)

Most Outstanding News Program or Coverage
• Political coverage (“PM Agenda”, SKY News)

Most Outstanding Use of Innovation in Programming
• London 2012 Olympic Games (Foxtel)

Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program
• Tony Robinson’s Time Walks (The History Channel)

Most Outstanding Sports Program or Coverage
• 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season and Finals Series (FOX FOOTY)

Most Outstanding Drama
• Tangle – season 3 (showcase)

A one-hour highlight show will screen on Arena on Monday July 29 at 7.30pm.