ASIA-PACIFIC – SINGAPORE, DECEMBER 2011: As the only event of its kind in the region, the Asian Television Awards (ATA) is considered the Asian TV industry’s most important event. Now on its 15th year, the ATA continues to recognize excellence in programming, production, and performance.
Japan leads in Programming with five wins and six highly commended awards. Hong Kong tops the Performance categories with five wins and one highly commended. In the Technical and Creative categories, Singapore has the most trophies with three wins and eight highly commended. The host is also the strongest overall.
The Philippines bagged two wins out of seven nominations: ABS-CBN’s The Bottomline with Boy Abunda won the Best Talk Show award in the Programming Category and the song Ito ang Buhay Ko (This is My Life) won Best Theme Song under the Technical and Creative Categories. The song, part of the original soundtrack of TV5’s Star Confessions, was written by Boy Christopher Ramos.
Also proving the country’s competitive edge in post-production, welovepost Inc. worked on the plug of MTV Exit Foundation’s “Muse & MTV Exit: MK Ultra” (Thailand), which won the Best Music Program award under the Programming Category.
The country’s five other nominations are: Best General Entertainment, Talentadong Pinoy (TV5) and Mind Master (GMA 7); Best Comedy Program, Lokomoko (TV5); Best Supporting Actress, Angel Aquino for Magkaribal (ABS-CBN); and Best Comedy Performance by an Actor, Michael V. for Pepito Manaloto (GMA 7).
More than 50 judges from across the region decided which TV programs, broadcasters, production houses, and TV stations and platforms merited the ATA trophies. This year, the ATA judging also took a leap into the digital age, as the process was brought online. The move was to ease the workload and provide comfort and flexibility to the judges by enabling them to screen the entries at their own pace.
PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMME (ONE-OFF/SPECIAL)
Winner
Yu Guo and His Mother
Shanghai Media Group
Documentary Channel
China
Highly Commended
Our Prayers – Living in our Times
Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Fuji Television
Japan
Production Co: Ishikawa Television
Julianise: Enslaved Girl of Haiti
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Satellite Channel
Japan
Produced by Documentary Japan for NHK in association with NHK Educational Corporation
BEST DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Winner
The Soul of Reporting
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc.
Japan
Co-produced by JNN Network, HBC (Hokkaido), IBC (Iwate), TBC (Miyagi); TUF (Fukushima), TUY (Yamagata), SBS (Shizuoka), CBC (Aichi), MBS (Osaka), RSK (Okayama), RCC (Hiroshima), TYS (Yamaguchi), RKB (Fukuoka), OBS (Oita), MBC (Kagoshima) and TBS (Tokyo)
Highly Commended
Eye on Taiwan: The Search for Lost Fertility
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Production Co: Samsara Films
Life Force
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
General TV Channel
Japan
A co-production of NHK, NHNZ and France Televisions in association with Science Channel
BEST NATURAL HISTORY OR WILDLIFE PROGRAMME
Winner
Life Force: Madagascar
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
General TV Channel
Japan
A co-production of NHK, NHNZ and France Television in association with Science Channel
Highly Commended
Wild Japan: The Wonders of Abundant Waters
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
General TV Channel
Japan
Produced by NHK and NHK Enterprises, Inc. in association with Animal Planet Japan Co., Ltd
BEST NEWS PROGRAMME
Winner
Shanghai Live
Shanghai Media Group
International Channel Shanghai
China
Highly Commended
Pakistan: The War Within
CNN-IBN, TV18 Broadcast Ltd.
CNN-IBN
India
BEST SINGLE NEWS STORY/REPORT
Winner
Bangladesh Begging Boy
CNN International
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Departing in Dignity
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
General TV Channel
Japan
BEST DRAMA SERIES
Winner
Days We Stared at the Sun (Episode 1)
Public Television Service, Taiwan
Public Television Service Foundation, PTS
Taiwan
Highly Commended
A Teacher’s Heart
Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation
Da Ai TV
Taiwan
BEST SINGLE DRAMA OR TELEMOVIE PROGRAMME
Winner
Threads of Our Hearts
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
General TV Channel
Japan
Highly Commended
Stolen
South Pacific Pictures
MediaWorks, TV3
New Zealand
BEST COMEDY PROGRAMME
Winner
The Noose Season 4
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Highly Commended
Anything Goes
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Production Co.: Verite Productions Pte Ltd
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME
Winner
The Nonfiction Special “Unforgettable – Three Family Portraits”
Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Fuji Television
Japan
Highly Commended
The Highland Towers Disaster
AETN All Asia Networks
History Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Novista Sdn Bhd
BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME
Winner
My Place – 1878 Henry
Australian Children’s Television Foundation
Australian Broadcasting Corp., ABC 3
Australia
Highly Commended
Sailing in the Dark
Public Television Service, Taiwan
Public Television Service Foundation, PTS
Taiwan
BEST PRESCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Winner
Doby & Disy
Win Sing Company Limited
Hunan Broadcasting System, Aniworld TV
China
Highly Commended
Bommi and Friends
KidsCo
India
Production Co.: Image Venture
BEST ENTERTAINMENT (ONE-OFF/ANNUAL)
Winner
Nep-Kids League: Whiz-Kids Theater!
Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Fuji Television
Japan
Highly Commended
MTV Video Music Aid Japan
MTV Networks Asia
SKY PerfecTV!, MTV Japan
Singapore
BEST GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME
Winner
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Season 4)
BBC Worldwide Productions
Sony Television, Sony Entertainment Television
India
Highly Commended
Game Phao Khon
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Royal Thai Army Radio & Television, Channel 5
Thailand
BEST GAME OR QUIZ PROGRAMME
Winner
Wittaya Subphayuth
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
Royal Thai Army Radio & Television, Channel 5
Thailand
Highly Commended
India Minute to Win It Season 1 (Episode 2)
SPE Networks – Asia Pte Ltd
AXN Asia
Singapore
Production Co.: NBC Universal
Ratcharod Ma Koey
Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited
MCOT Public Company Limited, Channel 9
Thailand
BEST MUSIC PROGRAMME
Winner
Muse & MTV EXIT: MK Ultra
MTV EXIT Foundation
Starhub Cable TV, MTV Southeast Asia
Thailand
Highly Commended
Akustik Raya
Astro Malaysia
Astro Ria
Malaysia
Production Co.: Astro Productions Sdn Bhd
BEST REALITY PROGRAMME
Winner
Girls Night Out
Miditech Pvt. Ltd
Colors (Viacom 18)
India
Highly Commended
Love on the Plate
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore
BEST INFOTAINMENT PROGRAMME
Winner
China’s Extreme Skywalker
AETN All Asia Networks
The Biography Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Xtreme Productions
Highly Commended
Masterpiece Scandal (Episode 5)
KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)
KBS 2TV
Korea
Ryan: The Smiling Serial Killer
AETN All Asia Networks
Crime & Investigation Network
Singapore
Production Co.: Bull’s Eye Films
BEST TALK SHOW
Winner
The Bottomline with Boy Abunda
ABS-CBN Corporation
ABS-CBN, Channel 2
Philippines
Highly Commended
Talk Asia – Tom Ford
CNN International
Hong Kong
BEST SOCIAL AWARENESS PROGRAMME
Winner
Nepal’s Stolen Children
CNN International
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Surviving the Tsunami
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
General TV Channel
Japan
BEST ADAPTATION OF AN EXISTING FORMAT
Winner
The Amazing Race Australia (Episode 1)
activeTV Pty Ltd
Seven Network, Channel 7
Australia
Highly Commended
The Amazing Race – China Rush (Season One)
Shanghai Media Group
International Channel Shanghai
China
BEST CROSS-PLATFORM CONTENT
Winner
The CJ Show
CNN-IBN, TV18 Broadcast Ltd.
CNN-IBN
India
Highly Commended
Living Cities: Transformation
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Infocus Asia Pte Ltd
Rocket Compulsion
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Rocket Compulsion Pty Ltd
BEST LIFESTYLE PROGRAMME
Winner
Stressbuster (Episode 1) – Learn Something New
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore
Production Co.: Beach House Pictures Pte Ltd
Highly Commended
Passage To Malaysia : Pulau Paradise
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery TLC
Singapore
Production Co.: No Quarter TV
PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES
BEST NEWS PRESENTER OR ANCHOR
Winner
Anna Coren
World Report
CNN International
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Martin Soong
Squawk Box
CNBC Asia Pacific
Singapore
BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER
Winner
Bernard Lo
Straight Talk with Bernie Lo
CNBC Asia Pacific
Singapore
Highly Commended
Najwa Shihab
Mata Najwa (The Eyes of Najwa) – Jakarta: Promises Overdue
PT. Media Televisi Indonesia
Metro TV
Indonesia
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTER / HOST
Winner
Denise Keller
Passage to Malaysia: Pulau Paradise
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery TLC
Singapore
Production Co.: No Quarter TV
Highly Commended
Steven Ma
Apprentice Chef
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade
Hong Kong
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Winner
Kevin Cheng
Ghetto Justice
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Christopher Lee
Breakout
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Winner
Charmaine Sheh
Can’t Buy Me Love
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Ann Lee
Fairy SuZhen
Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation
Da Ai TV
Taiwan
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winner
Mak Cheung Ching
No Regrets
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Jordan Voon
Footprints In The Sand
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd
ntv7
Malaysia
Production Co.: Double Vision
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winner
Fala Chen
No Regrets
Television Broadcasts Limited
TVB, Jade
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Pan Ling Ling
Breakout (Episode 21)
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore
BEST COMEDY PEFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR/ACTRESS
Winner
Suhaimi Yusof
The Noose Season 4
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Highly Commended
Alaric Tay
The Noose Season 4
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
Chua En Lai
The Noose Season 4
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 5
Singapore
TECHNICAL & CREATIVE CATEGORIES
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Winner
Syukrie Hassan, Chris Tan, Jason Isley & Scubazoo
Passage To Malaysia: Pulau Paradise
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery TLC
Singapore
Production Co.: No Quarter TV
Highly Commended
Koichi Nagura
Listening to the Mountain Sages
MediaCorp Pte Ltd & NHK
NHK, BS-1
Singapore
BEST DIRECTION
Winner
Michael McKay
The Amazing Race Australia (Episode 1)
activeTV Pty Ltd
Seven Network, Channel 7
Australia
Highly Commended
Chris Lofft
Megacities Kaohsiung
National Geographic Channel Asia
Singapore
Production Co.: Base Productions
BEST EDITING
Winner
Jean Kao
Into the Future: Transport
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Infocus Asia Pte Ltd
Highly Commended
Leanne Cole
Rocket Compulsion
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Rocket Compulsion Pty Ltd
Peter Potts
Surviving Morakot
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Discovery Channel
Singapore
Production Co.: Infocus Asia Pte Ltd
BEST DRAMA SCREENPLAY
Winner
Yu Zheng
Palace
Hunan ETV Media Culture Co., Ltd
Hunan Broadcasting System, Hunan TV Satellite Channel
China
Highly Commended
Ang Eng Tee
Breakout
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel 8
Singapore
Ng Lee Ling
Secrets for Sale
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Channel U
Singapore
Production Co.: WaWa Pictures Pte Ltd
BEST THEME SONG
Winner
Boy Christopher Ramos
Star Confessions: OST – “Ito Ang Buhay ko” (This is My Life)
ABC Development Corporation
TV5
Philippines
Highly Commended
Edry Abdul Halim
Hambamu: Theme Song for Imam Muda Season 2
Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd
Astro Oasis
Malaysia
TERRESTRIAL CHANNEL OF THE YEAR
Winner
General TV Channel
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Japan
Highly Commended Fuji TV
Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Japan
CABLE & SATELLITE CHANNEL OF THE YEAR
Winner
CNN International
Hong Kong
Highly Commended Discovery Channel
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific
Singapore
TERRESTRIAL BROACASTER OF THE YEAR
Winner
MediaCorp Pte Ltd
Singapore
Highly Commended
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Japan
CABLE & SATELLITE NETWORK OF THE YEAR
Winner
CNN International
Hong Kong
Highly Commended
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific
Singapore
