Seattle Channel was named the best municipal television station in the nation when it received the prestigious Excellence in Government Programming award from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) at the group’s annual meeting held in San Diego, Calif., last week.
Additionally, the city-operated station won 13 programming awards for its variety of public affairs, arts and community coverage. Seattle Channel also captured first place for government-access station website. Last December, the station launched a redesigned website, which features a robust archive of award-winning programming.
NATOA honors excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. This year, NATOA received 800 entries submitted in 65 categories by local governments across the country.
“Seattle Channel is a community asset that deepens understanding of local issues and advances the conversation on public policy priorities,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “Congratulations to all our staff for this much-deserved national recognition.”
This is Seattle Channel’s sixth NATOA win in nine years for programming excellence. Seattle Channel competed against other government-access TV stations with budgets over $1 million. The station was recognized with the top government-programming award in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
“Seattle Channel is an important resource for residents,” said Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. “The station’s commitment to in-depth, inclusive programming not only serves to inform people, it highlights the diverse civic and cultural landscape of Seattle.”
Seattle Channel programs that won first-place awards include the public-affairs program City Inside/Out with Brian Callanan; the showcase of Seattle’s creative scene Art Zone with Nancy Guppy; and Community Stories, which features documentaries about Seattle’s inspiring people, programs and cultural traditions. See a complete listing of the awards with links to video below.
“Our staff is committed to compelling content and quality production,” said John Giamberso, Seattle Channel general manager. “It’s truly an honor to receive this recognition from our peers in local government.”
Here is a listing of Seattle Channel’s 2015 NATOA awards:
Excellence in Government Programming
First Place
Children/Young Adults: Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest
Interview/Talk Show: City Inside/Out – Marijuana Mess
Election Coverage: City Inside/Out – Gun Politics
Ethnic Experience: Community Stories – Enfu
Arts and Entertainment: Art Zone with Nancy Guppy
Documentary: Community Stories – Honor Totem
Government Access Station Website
Second Place
Library: CityStream – All About Libraries
Ethnic Experience: CityStream – International Examiner Snapshots in Time
Municipal Channel Promotion: Seattle Channel – It’s Not What You Think
Videography: Seattle Channel production staff
Third Place
Community Awareness: CityStream – Beacon Food Forest
Honorable Mention
Seniors: CityStream – Washington State Senior Games
Profile of a City/County Dept.: CityStream – Dementia Friendly Parks Program
