Dear BPG Member,

There has never been a more exciting time than now to be journalists covering the world of broadcast media. More television than ever before is being made, as streamers compete with traditional outlets. Radio stations are popping up all over the place, as podcasts continue to change the way we consume audio year-on-year. While the government is certain to offer us fireworks as it wrangles over the future of the BBC and Channel 4.  

The next two years offer a great opportunity for the Broadcasting Press Guild and its members, and it is why I am so honoured to be elected its chairman at the BPG AGM that took place on July 15^th.

I want to pay tribute to Jake Kanter, the outgoing chair of the BPG, who has also stepped down from the executive committee, for his years of service to the guild. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Scott Bryan for his election as vice chairman. 

The last 18 months have been a tough one for so many organisations, including the BPG. But we have also had successes, not least of all our first digital awards. The acceptance speeches on social media were viewed 370,000 times, with a whooping 2.75m impressions – thank you for counting Torin Douglas. Particular thanks also to Kate Bulkley and Veronica Newson for going the extra mile organising this year’s awards. 

My immediate priorities going forward are to secure a sponsor for a physical awards ceremony in 2022, restart our much-loved lunches, and grow the membership of the guild.  

I’m very much looking forward to the task ahead, and can’t wait to see you all (in person!) at a future BPG event. 

Please find the minutes of our AGM, kindly compiled by Kate, attached to this email.

All the best,

Grant 

Grant Tucker

Chair, BPG 

Dear BPG Member,

As is our practice, we are posting the 10 TV Nomination Category Lists for you to look at and offer suggestions for programmes that you think were outstanding in the Awards Year. They must have been commissioned/produced in the UK and aired in calendar year 2013.

We’re also looking for your suggestions for the Innovation and Breakthrough Awards, which are decided by the Executive Committee. You can see the criteria here:

Since 2006 the BPG Innovation Award has been given to recognise original thinking across programming, production and technology.

The Breakthrough Award recognises an individual performer who has ‘broken through’ to the big time in the year in question.

You can navigate to each individual list using the links on the right.

Click Here to go to the lists.

Please use the Comment Box at the foot of the appropriate page to make your suggestions for programmes that should be added to the list. All suggestions for will be considered for inclusion, but inclusion is not guaranteed.

Once the comment period is over, we will open the lists to voting from the end of this week. First Round voting will end Thursday Jan 30 and the final Voting round will begin Feb 3 and end Feb 7.

Kate Bulkley
BPG Awards Secretary