ITV takes top prize at Freesat Awards

ITV was named as Freesat Channel of the Year at the Freesat Awards in London last night. The commercial channels also took the top programming award, with crime drama Broadchurch winning the Best British TV Programme category.

BBC 2’s Twenty Twelve was named Best TV Sitcom. Other wins included BBC 1’s coverage of the London Olympics taking the Best Live TV Programme or Series award and Food Network UK being named as Best Specialist Channel.

BBC 5 Live was named as Best News Channel of the Year.

In two categories that were decided by popular vote, Ant and Dec were named as TV Personality of the Year and Coronation Street was named Best British Soap.

The awards, hosted by comedian Sally Phillips, saw 52 nominees competing across 10 categories.

“Tonight was a fantastic celebration of everything that is truly great about British TV. We paid homage to the world beating creative talent behind the unique channels and groundbreaking programming that I’m proud to say make up the Freesat service. Congratulations to all the worthy winners which we are incredibly proud to be able to recognise year on year,” said Freesat managing director Emma Scott.