RTS SOUTHERN AWARDS 2015

RTS Southern Centre Awards 2015 

Over two hundred people attended the RTS Southern Centre Awards Dinner at Winchester Guildhall on March 6th hosted by the South’s star presenters, ITV’s Fred Dinenage and the BBC’s Sally Taylor. 

The TV industry in the south often suffers from a talent drain to nearby London. So it was good to celebrate the quality work of ten indie companies and four broadcast centres who maintain significant production in the region. 

Best newcomer was Harry Hitchens for his easy going and natural style presenting Gay Sex Apps and Me. There were twenty-two entries for Best Regional Journalist, once again won by BBC South East’s Colin Campbell for his tireless investigative reporting. And Best VJ went to ITV Meridian’s Christine Alsford for the way she gained almost privileged access to the stories she told. Lambent Productions won Best Single Documentary for Dead Behind Bars and Ricochet won Best Factual with Mr Drew’s School for Boys. The coveted Best Regional News Programme went to ITV Meridian East for their timely progamme reacting to the Eastbourne Pier fire and retiring BBC South News Editor, Lee Desty was honoured by his colleagues for his services to BBC South Today. 

In addition there was an excellent range of student work on offer from five universities in the region. Best Animation and Best Drama went to University of the Creative Arts in Farnham, Best Factual and Best Open went to Bournemouth University and Best Entertainment went Arts University Bournemouth. 

The event received in-kind support from BBC South and ITV Meridian as well as sponsorship from Arqiva, Bournemouth University, Southampton Solent University and the Arts University Bournemouth. 

Gordon Cooper