2011 Annual Astra Awards Winners

2011 Annual Astra Awards Winners

Subscription television industry gathers at Sydney Theatre for the sold out 9th Annual ASTRA Awards. Hosted by Lee Furlong, Tara Moss and Helen Dalley, the glamorous event was a jewel in the crown for what has been an exceptional year for subscription TV. The entire night from the red carpet, through the 90 minute ceremony to the exclusive after party was a reflection of the breadth and depth of talent and content across the subscription TV platform.

In the Subscribers' Choice categories, voted for by viewers, Sarah Murdoch was selected as the Favourite Personality - Female while last year's big winner Andrew Winter took home the award for Favourite Personality - Male. The Favourite Program - International category was won by Grand Designs Season 8 and the award for Favourite Program - Australian went to Selling Houses Australia.

While long running favourites like FOX8's Australia's Next Top Model, which received the award for Most Outstanding Reality Program, were celebrated, it was also a night to recognise new shows and talent across the platform. W's Spirited received the award for Most Outstanding Drama with Matt King taking the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor - Male award, and for her role in Showcase's drama series Tangle, Catherine McClements took home the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor - Female award. Bio's original production Who We Are won Most Outstanding Documentary, new children's series from CBeebies, Penelope K, By The Way won Most Outstanding Children's Program or Coverage and The LifeStyle Channel's Grand Designs Australia won Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program with host Peter Maddison picking up the Best New Talent award.

ASTRA CEO Petra Buchanan said, "The great programming and talent that distinguishes subscription television was on display last night at the ASTRA Awards. The entertaining ceremony was packed with star power and great musical performances celebrating the stars and shows Australians love to watch".Broadcast coverage of some of the year's biggest news, sports and events took home awards on the night. SKY NEWS Election 2010 received the Most Outstanding News Program or Coverage award with David Speers winning Most Outstanding Performance by a Presenter and fellow SKY NEWS presenter Ashleigh Gillon being awarded Most Outstanding Performance by a Broadcast Journalist. FOXTEL's coverage of the Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 won Most Outstanding Use of Innovation in Programming while their coverage of Vancouver Winter Olympics took home the Most Outstanding Sports Program or Coverage award. Channel [V]'s Big Day Out Li[v]e won the award for Most Outstanding Music Program or Coverage and Australian Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010 won Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program.

Guests on the night were entertained by musical performances from Jessica Mauboy, Katie Noonan's Elixir Trio and Guineafowl. A surprise unscheduled performance by Icehouse's Iva Davies, had him perform an acoustic rendition of his Australian classic Great Southern Land, which was met with rapturous applause. The musical talent continued at the exclusive after party where Channel [V]'s Danny Clayton and Jane Gazzo spun the decks and vocalist Cavan Te entertained the guests with some classic soul, old school funk, R&B and smooth jazz accompanied by a vocal trio and baby grand piano.

The prestigious Channel of the Year award went to The LifeStyle Channel for the second year.

Subscribers' Choice
Favourite Program - Australian: Selling Houses Australia Series 3 - The LifeStyle Channel
Favourite Program - International: Grand Designs Season 8 - The LifeStyle Channel
Favourite Personality - Female: Sarah Murdoch - FOX8
Favourite Personality - Male: Andrew Winter - The LifeStyle Channel

Programming and Production
Most Outstanding Children's Program or Event: Penelope K, By The Way - CBeebies
Most Outstanding Music Program or Coverage: Big Day Out Li[V]e 2010 - Channel [V]
Most Outstanding Sports Program or Coverage: Vancouver Olympic Winter Games - FOXTEL
Most Outstanding Documentary: Who We Are - Bio
Most Outstanding News Program or Coverage: Election 2010 - SKY NEWS
Most Outstanding Reality Program: Australia's Next Top Model Series 6 - FOX8
Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program: Grand Designs Australia - The LifeStyle Channel
Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program: Australian Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010- Nickelodeon
Most Outstanding Drama: Spirited - W
Most Outstanding Use of Innovation in Programming: Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 - FOXTEL

Talent
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor - Male: Matt King - W
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor - Female: Catherine McClements - Showcase
Most Outstanding Performance by a Presenter: David Speers - SKY NEWS
Most Outstanding Performance by a Broadcast Journalist: Ashleigh Gillon - SKY NEWS
Best New Talent: Peter Maddison - The LifeStyle Channel