[press release from Lantern Group]
Nominations for the 2009 ASTRA Awards for excellence in subscription television were announced today at bills Surry Hills, hosted by The LifeStyle Channel’s, Bill Granger:
“Subscription TV is like a good menu – there’s something on for everyone. And this morning is all about showcasing the very best of our diverse and dynamic industry;.“ said Bill when welcoming media and his colleagues from the industry.
FOXTEL’s Mike Hammond announced the nominations with co-presenters Matt Shirvington, Lee Furlong and Yumi Stynes.
With a record number of entries this year across a wide cross section of channels – the 7th Annual ASTRA Awards showcase the best of everything on offer on subscription television in Australia – from current affairs, music, lifestyle, sport, documentary and drama. A panel of leaders from subscription television and associated industries judged all entries except for the five awards that are open to public vote; these being:
• Favourite International Program
• Favourite Program
• Favourite International Personality or Actor
• Favourite Male Personality
• Favourite Female Personality
Subscribers can vote via www.astraawards.com or digital channel 222 available across all platforms. The public voting for the ‘Favourite’ categories opens at 2pm Wednesday 25 March and closes at midnight on Wednesday 15 April.
Now in its seventh year, the ASTRA Awards recognize the talent and achievements from all the channels and platforms involved in subscription television within Australia. The winners will be announced at the prestigious, red carpet event to be held at the Royal Hall of Industries at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney on Monday, 20 April.
The Favorite Program category is set to be hotly contended between: Stupid, Stupid Man (TV1), Selling Houses Australia (The LifeStyle Channel), Stuart McGill Uncorked (LifeStyle FOOD), Australia’s Next Top Model (FOX8), Project Runway Australia (Arena TV), The Merrick & Rosso Show (The Comedy Channel) and Cash Cab (Channel [V]).
International celebrity and controversial chef Gordon Ramsay, a winner in 2008, is nominated in the Favourite International Personality or Actor for his show on LifeStyle FOOD but faces tough competition as he is joined by the likes of The Jonas Brothers (Disney Channel), Dawn French (UKTV), Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively (FOX8), Ryan Seacrest (FOX8) and from Entourage, Adrian Grenier (Arena TV).
International celebrity and controversial chef Gordon Ramsay, a winner in 2008, is nominated in the Favourite International Personality or Actor for his show on LifeStyle FOOD but faces tough competition as he is joined by the likes of The Jonas Brothers (Disney Channel), Dawn French (UKTV), Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively (FOX8), Ryan Seacrest (FOX8) and from Entourage, Adrian Grenier (Arena TV).
Nominated for Favourite Female Personality is Ruby Rose (MTV), Anna Gare (The LifeStyle Channel), Kim McCosker & Rachael Bermingham, Charlotte Dawson (FOX8), Antonia Kidman (W), Kristy Hinze (Arena TV) and Maggie Tabberer (Bio).
Jimmy Barnes is nominated this year for Favourite Male Personality for his role on MAX. Battling it out with him this year for the award is Darren McMullen (MTV), Stuart MacGill (LifeStyle FOOD), Brendan Moar (The LifeStyle Channel), Brian McFadden (FOX8) and comedy duo Merrick & Rosso (The Comedy Channel).
As always a broad range of channels are in contention for the prestigious Channel Of The Year award and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on April 20.
“The nominations for the 7th Annual ASTRA Awards are a great indication of the growing number of productions now featured on the wide range of STV channels, it’s a real testament to the diversity of program’s available for the audience right across the platform. ” said Debra Richards CEO ASTRA.