Voting begins on MGEITF channel awards

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (MGEITF) has opened the voting for the tenth annual Arqiva 'Channel of the Year' awards, including three new categories for 2011.

The new awards - '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. Voting is open until midnight on June 17 and one lucky voter will win a free delegate pass to the festival, along with return flights and accommodation.

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 new MGEITF festival director appointed last December, 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."

Winners at the MGEITF 'Channel of the Year' awards will be announced at a ceremony on August 27 in Edinburgh.