Seattle Channel is the recipient of two Northwest Regional Emmy Awards in the Interview/Discussion and Short-form Arts/Entertainment categories. The awards were for a program that focused on police reform and a profile of a fashion designer who, early in the pandemic, began creating colorful, highly sought-after face masks.
The City of Seattle’s government-access station was recognized Saturday, June 4, at the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Emmy Awards ceremony. The awards show was held in person for the first time since 2019.
“Through a dedication to providing informative and engaging coverage of Seattle’s civic and cultural landscape, Seattle Channel provides an important service to our city,” said Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson (Position 9, Citywide), chair of the Council’s Economic Development, Technology & City Light Committee, which oversees the Seattle Channel. “As a longtime fan who watches the Seattle Channel for fun, I know firsthand how lucky we are to have an outlet that contributes to government accountability and transparency, while also encouraging community engagement, deepening understanding of local issues, and elevating diverse voices and perspectives. Congratulations Seattle Channel team for this recognition and for your ongoing dedication to excellence.”
An episode of “City Inside/Out” diving into police reform won an Emmy in the interview/discussion category. In 2021, Washington state lawmakers passed a slate of police accountability laws, from overhauling police tactics to discipline, and even union contract negotiations. This program investigated both sides of the issue. The winning team includes Susan Han, Producer; Brian Callanan, Producer/Host; Matt Peterson, Photography/Editor; and Vincent Pierce, Director.
A profile of a local fashion designer won in the short-form arts/entertainment category. Born in the Congo, Gustavo Apiti incorporates his rich heritage of bright colors and unique details into one-of-a-kind designs. When the pandemic hit, he turned his creativity towards creating sought-after high-fashion masks. Christopher Barnes, produced this piece for “Art Zone with Nancy Guppy.”
Nancy Guppy, host of the arts program “Art Zone with Nancy Guppy,” was inducted into the NATAS Silver Circle this year. The Silver Circle honors media professionals who have dedicated a minimum of 25 years to the industry and have made lasting contributions to the field and their community. Other Seattle Channel staff and alumni with a Silver Circle distinction include former general manager Gary Gibson in 2012; producer, photographer, and editor Tom Speer in 2014; and Seattle Channel’s current general manager Shannon Gee in 2020.
“I’m honored to work with a team who continually pours their hearts into the channel’s efforts to elevate Seattle’s people and stories. This small but mighty group has shown resilience and dedication, particularly in the last two years,” said Shannon Gee, Seattle Channel’s general manager. “The Emmy awards for our coverage of important public safety issues and our dynamic creative community shows our commitment to the city we serve and care about. Nancy Guppy’s induction into the Silver Circle is a great honor. One that shows her steadfast stewardship of the arts, championing artists with her unique style of charisma, humor, joy, and warmth. This recognition strengthens Seattle Channel’s focus on community, a community whose energy and passion motivates us in return”
In the 59th annual Northwest Emmy Awards, Seattle Channel competed against commercial and public television stations in the Northwest NATAS five-state region which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. A complete listing of the awardees can be found on the NATAS website.
“The Seattle Channel team continues to shine the spotlight on how the City of Seattle supports our many diverse communities. To have these stories honored with regional Emmys year after year is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of this group of talented civic-minded artists,” said Seattle’s Interim Chief Technology Officer Jim Loter.
This year the station earned ten nominations in a broad range of program categories including business/consumer, arts/entertainment, historical/cultural, sports, public affairs, and interview/discussion. The Seattle Channel’s arts show, “Art Zone with Nancy Guppy,” was nominated in the Arts/Entertainment – Long-Form Content category. Producer and videographer Christopher Barnes received a nomination in the Editor category and the Seattle Channel team received a nomination for Overall Excellence, where the station competes for this top accolade with some of the region’s best commercial and public television stations.
In addition to the winning programs, here are the other nominations:
Business/Consumer – Short and Long-Form Content
This episode of “CityStream,” the Seattle Channel’s magazine program featured stories about Kenmore Air’s 75th anniversary and what it took to get there, especially the last few years when the pandemic forced them to cut workforce and diversify their operations. The episode also features a story about chef Jeremy Thunderbird and his efforts to share his Native culture through food through inspired takes on classic Indigenous recipes at Native Soul Cuisine.
Historical/Cultural – Short-Form Content
One of the lesser-known but equally unique attractions at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair was the Bubbleator. Visitors entering the high-tech elevator were greeted with “Please step to the rear of the sphere” before they enjoyed a ride with a 360-degree view. Find out what happened to the storied sphere after its six-month run at the fair.
Historical/Cultural – Long-Form Content
This episode of “CityStream” features a story about Seattle artist Blanca Santander and her colorful and expressive art. Her passion for social justice, immigration, and the environment are common themes. Also, former Seattle city councilmember Tom Rasmussen is leading an effort to archive a vital part of the city’s history. The Seattle Gay News started as a newsletter in 1974 and today is one of the nation’s oldest LGBTQ newspapers. Now, the push is on to preserve more than four decades of back issues.
Sports Story – Short and Long-Form Content
The nonprofit Black Girl Hockey Club is working with the Kraken to change hockey’s image from that of an all-white sport to one that embraces diversity. Seattle’s new NHL hockey team is also working with Sno-King Amateur Hockey to get low-income families and kids of color interested in the game. And the team itself is committed to inclusion.
Public Affairs Program
This episode of “CityStream” is packed with stories. A Seattle woman uses her investigative skills to reunite family members with decades-old photos that were long forgotten. Two young women take aim at a lofty goal: becoming the best archer in the country. And, meet a woman who’s been hand-delivering meals to the needy for more than 20 years.
Seattle Channel is a local TV station that reflects, informs, and inspires the community it serves. Seattle Channel presents programs on cable television – channel 21 on Comcast (321 HD) and Wave (721 HD) and via the internet to help residents connect with their city. Programming includes series and special features highlighting the diverse civic and cultural landscape of Seattle.
