Channel 4 triumphs at Broadcast Digital Awards

Published Jun 21 2012, 16:19 BST  |  By Andrew Laughlin

Channel 4 was the big winner at the Broadcast Digital Awards 2012 last night (June 20), while BBC Four and MTV also took home major accolades.

Channel 4 managed a clean sweep of the multiplatform categories with four wins, including Best Game (The Bank Job), Best Multiplatform Project (Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic), Best Website (Sexperience) and Best App (Facejacker).

During the ceremony at The Lancaster Hotel in Central London, the broadcaster was also honoured in the 'Best News or Current Affairs' digital category for the website supporting shocking documentary Sri Lanka's Killing Fields.

However, BBC Four scooped the most coveted prize of the night, 'Channel of the Year', after being praised by the judges for its 'innovative approach' to science, history, arts, comedy and drama.

'Best Entertainment Channel' was handed to MTV, beating a strong field containing the likes of ITV2, FX, Watch and Syfy.



MTV UK is home to a range of popular entertainment programmes, including Jersey Shore and its UK counterpart Geordie Shore, which soon returns for a third series.

"This is fantastic news for MTV UK and excellent recognition of the team's incredible hard work, commitment and creativity over the past 12 months," said Kerry Taylor, the director of television at MTV parent company Viacom International Media Networks UK.

"Geordie Shore, our highest-rating series ever - on the cusp of the launch of series three - is just one example of MTV's irresistible entertainment content, which is complemented by ramped-up music activity across our ten-pack portfolio, including the newest additions to our channel family: MTV Music and MTV Live HD.

"In addition, stand-out social responsibility initiatives, both globally and in the UK - including online platform MTV Voices - is proof in point that MTV is an entertainment channel with a difference!"



Elsewhere at the awards, UKTV - the pay-TV joint venture behind channels such as Dave and Gold - picked up 'Best Content Partnership' for a Find My Past collaboration for its Yesterday channel.

The broadcaster also celebrated winning 'Best Entertainment Programme' and 'Best Programme Marketing' for Dynamo: Magician Impossible, the highest-ever rating show on Watch.

Discovery landed 'Best Channel Marketing' and 'Best Factual Channel', while ESPN - which recently suffered the blow of losing out in the Premier League TV rights auction - has some cold comfort in winning 'Best Live Event'.