Seattle Channel won 27 Government Programming Awards, including 11 Awards of Excellence, at the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) annual conference awards ceremony this week in Charleston, S.C. The city-operated television station also took home 13 Awards of Distinction and three Awards of Honor for its civic and cultural programming, competing with the best municipal television stations in the nation. NATOA has been celebrating the achievements of local government programmers across the nation for 39 years.
“It’s fantastic to see the Seattle Channel recognized for another year of leading programming,” said Interim Chief Technology Officer, Rob Lloyd. “For over two decades, the team has been sharing the stories of Seattle’s people and neighborhoods, inspiring hearts and minds in our community’s issues and history. These awards are a testament to how well they have told the stories of Seattle.”
Seattle Channel won first place Awards of Excellence in a wide range of categories including arts and entertainment, public and mental health, documentary, videography, editing, visual effects and more. The team was recognized with Awards of Distinction and Awards of Honor in more than a dozen categories, including for storytelling, historical, environmental issues, social media content, and overall excellence, just to name a few.
The winning programs include: history features on the University of Washington women’s rowing team and Seattle’s beloved Scarecrow Video; a story on a local author’s special connection with his teacher; profiles on a magical guitar maker and a paraglider overcoming obstacles; the Emmy award-winning documentary “The Fight Against Fentanyl”; a spotlight on the annual Seattle/King County Clinic; plus nods for magazine-format series, videography, and visual effects. Videographer Chris Barnes was recognized in the craft category of editing.
This year, NATOA recognized the work of government agencies across the nation in 71 categories. These include familiar categories such as community events, documentaries, public affairs, interview or talk shows, performing arts, sports, and election coverage, ethnic experience and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by NATOA for our work, and we could not be in better company than with the many government agencies that make up our vital nationwide PEG station system,” said the station’s manager, Shannon Gee. “The Seattle Channel is proud to be part of this broader family of talented people who have dedicated their broadcasting skills and careers to public service, while also highlighting and celebrating our vibrant communities along the way.”
NATOA is a national association representing local governments’ needs and interests in communications, broadband, and technology. Its annual Government Programming Awards (GPAs) honor excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia, and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. A complete list of the award winners is available on NATOA’s website.
Here is a list of Seattle Channel’s 2024 NATOA awards and award-winning programs:
Awards of Excellence:
Category 9 – Sports Programming: CityStream: UW women’s rowing rises from humble beginnings to national glory
Category 11 – Education/Schools: CityStream: Local author reunites with life-changing Franklin High School teacher
Category 21 – Special Audience: CityStream: Paraglider with cerebral palsy reclaims the skies
Category 30 – Arts and Entertainment: The magical master guitar maker Roy McAlister
Category 32 – NEW! Public/Mental Health: CityStream: Free Medical, Dental & Vision Care Clinic
Category 37 – Profile of a Resident, Business or Organization: Scarecrow Video celebrates 35 years of movie magic
Category 44 – Documentary: The Fight Against Fentanyl
Category 57 – Magazine Format Series: CityStream
Category 63 – Videography: Seattle Channel staff
Category 64 – Editing: Scarecrow Video celebrates 35 years of movie magic
Category 65 – Visual Effects: We Hereby Refuse: The Akutsu Family Resists
Awards of Distinction:
Category 15 – Election Coverage: City Inside/Out: Morales & Woo square off to represent Seattle’s diverse District 2
Category 16 – Library: Seattle Public Library Takes a Stand with Books Unbanned Initiative
Category 17 – Historical: CityStream: Iconic downtown movie theater makes cinematic return
Category 24 – Animal Services: CityStream: Coexisting with Coyotes in Seattle
Category 27 – Environmental Issues: CityStream: Furniture Repair Bank
Category 29 – Parks & Recreation: Meet AP Diaz, Superintendent of Seattle Parks & Rec
Category 37 – Profile of a Resident, Business or Organization: From hammer to heel, the story behind Leolo’s bespoke shoe craftsmanship
Category 41 – NEW! Public Safety – Fire: What you should know about lithium-ion batteries
Category 46 – Public Education: CityStream: Conservation efforts help revive native Puget Sound shellfish
Category 53 – Best Use of Video on Social Media: PNW casts a long shadow over Frank Herbert’s “Dune”
Category 65 – Visual Effects: CityStream: Iconic downtown movie theater makes cinematic return
Category 66 – Storytelling: CityStream: Paraglider with cerebral palsy reclaims the skies
Category 71 – Overall Excellence: Seattle Channel
Awards of Honor:
Category 18 – NEW! Historical – Cultural: CityStream: Traveling 48-star U.S. flag honors Japanese Americans
Category 23 – Diversity/Equity/Inclusion: Community Stories: We Hereby Refuse: The Akutsu Family Resists
Category 36 – Profile of a City/County Department or Employee: Meet Rico Quirindongo, leader of Office of Planning & Community Development