ASTRA Channel Achievement Award: finalists

ASTRA has a new category in its annual awards, to be held next week.

The Channel Achievement Award, recognises the channel judged as achieving the most success in 2013, assessed on improved ratings, increased production of Australian content, successful development of new formats, improved community engagement and other successes demonstrating content diversity and creativity.

It is separate to the Channel of the Year award.

Finalists in the new category are:
• Channel [V]: The one-stop music network producing 340 hours of local programming per year was the number one music channel in its target demo of 16-24 year olds as well as in the under 40 demo.
• History: Dedicated to history 24 hours a day, seven days a week, History had local commissions including Building Australia, Breaker Morant: The Retrial and the upcoming Coast Australia.
• FX: Targeted at men who love edgy, unconventional and smart shows, FX is home to The Walking Dead. Episode 12 of series three was the most watched single episode of a drama show on Australian subscription TV in 2013.
• Sky News Business: A champion of Australian business and trade, looking out for consumers, Sky News Business reached a consolidated 1.4 million individuals in 2013, representing a 42% increase year on year.

“These channels are well known for delivering outstanding content in specialised areas and genres, making them perfect examples of the quality and diversity of content of Australian subscription television,” ASTRA CEO Andrew Maiden said.

The 2014 ASTRA Awards are being held at Sydney’s Carriageworks on Thursday March 20, co-hosted by Shaynna Blaze and Matt Shirvington.