Winners of the Eutelsat TV Awards 2014 spotlight exceptional creativity, innovation and technical excellence

TV remains the prime video touchpoint

Rome, 28 November 2014 – “Television sits at the heart of the digital media industry, boosted by multi-screen viewing and social networks that are generating a global conversation,” commented Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat, at the Eutelsat TV Awards ceremony that was celebrated in Rome tonight in the company of over 350 executives from the global broadcasting industry.

The Eutelsat TV Awards is a unique event recognising the quality of thematic satellite TV channels. Over 100 channels from 20 countries participated in this year’s competition, their programming formats, innovation and audience relationship judged by an independent panel of media experts representing the world’s most dynamic broadcasting markets.

Longstanding channels that took home trophies included Mexico’s Canal Once, Euronews, Eurosport and MTV Live HD that have each raised the bar for constantly challenging their relationship with an expanding audience base. Newly launched channels awarded for quickly developing their identity included Turkey’s Moviemax Turk HD, while Russia’s Kinoklub, Germany’s Spiegel TV Wissen and Italy’s DMAX and Rai Yoyo stood out for high production standards and carving a clear and distinctive brand. Eurochannel scooped the People’s Choice Award that goes to the channel winning the highest number of votes from its fan base.

Deutsche Welle TV and Sky Atlantic HD were both distinguished in the Best Programme category for excelling in terms of production, performance and creativity. Deutsche Welle took home the Best Programme prize for Non Fiction for The Highest Level that captures the intensity of interpreting two piano concertos by concert pianist Lang Lang, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor, Sir Simon Rattle.

Sky Atlantic took home the Best Programme Award for Fiction for Gomorrah, one of the most anticipated crime series of 2014. An intense drama produced by Sky Atlantic-Cattleya-Fandango production in association with Beta Film and based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Roberto Saviano, Gomorrah draws the viewer into the inner sanctum of organised crime in Naples.

In addition to Awards bestowed by the Eutelsat TV Awards jury, Eutelsat announced two Special Awards at the ceremony in Rome.

• To Rai,Italy’s national public broadcaster for forging a path in 4k with two original co-productions: La Bohème, a co-production by RAI-COM / DBW Communication and Rossini, by Lina Wertmüller a co-production by RAI Strategie Tecnologiche.

• To TAG (Telekom Austria Group) for its innovative approach to Direct-to-Home broadcasting in Central Europe. TAG’s white label platform, launched first in Croatia via the EUTELSAT 16A satellite, is accelerating the transition to digital across the region.

Eutelsat TV Awards Winners 2014

The Eutelsat TV Awards jury: Jerzy Barski from TV-Sat Magazine (Poland), Jacques Braun from Eurodata TV (France), Robert Briel from Broadband TV News, Sergey Buntman from Echo of Moscow (Russia), Alessandra Comazzi from La Stampa (Italy), Paolo Dalla Chiara from Pentastudio (Italy), Christian Blankenberg from ARD (Germany), Giacomo Mazzone from the EBU, Fusun Nebil from Turk Internet (Turkey), Reem Nouss Media Consultant and Executive Producer, Twofour Arabia (UK).

Jury chairman: Duilio Giammaria from Rai (Italy). Technical expert: Mauro Roffi from Millecanali (Italy).

Red carpet highlights, clips of the nominated programmes and all the latest images from the night’s events will be shortly available at: www.eutelsattvawards.com.