MGEITF channel awards open for entries

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (MGEITF) has called for entries to the Arqiva 'Channel of the Year' awards, including three new categories for 2011.

The new categories - 'Cross Platform Innovation Award', 'Producer Or Director Debut of the Year' and 'Indie of the Year' - bring the total number of prizes up to eight.

Existing categories include 'Terrestrial Channel of the Year', 'Terrestrial Programme of the Year, 'Digital Channel of the Year', 'Digital Programme of the Year' and the 'Programme Choice Award'.

To qualify for the awards, programmes must have been broadcast between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. The deadline for submissions is April 21.

At last year's Arqiva Channel Of The Year awards, Channel 4 was named 'Terrestrial Channel of the Year', while BBC Three picked up 'Digital Channel of the Year'.

Louise Benson, the recently-appointed MGEITF festival director, said that the new categories would broaden the awards to more entries.

She added: "The addition of the three new categories allows more companies and individuals to submit their work for recognition and the cross platform innovation award shows that the TV festival is acknowledging the many platforms that complement TV in exciting and innovative ways."

The 10th MGEITF 'Channel of the Year' awards will be presented at the 2011 festival on August 27 in Edinburgh.