Freesat Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist has been announced for the third annual Freesat awards, with E4, ITV1, ITV2 and BBC Three battling it out for 'Entertainment Channel of the Year'.

A total of 33 nominees are in contention across 11 different categories at the awards, which celebrate the best TV and radio services available on the satellite platform.

Al Jazeera English will again compete for 'News Channel of the Year' after scooping the accolade in 2010, with BBC News, CNBC, FRANCE 24 and NHK World also in contention.

Al Jazeera English, FRANCE 24 and NHK World are also up for new category 'News Event Coverage Of The Year', alongside BBC Radio 5 live and ITV1.

Also new for 2011 is the 'Audience Impact Award', which recognises the channel or programme which has made an "outstanding effort" to reach its audience through the web or social media. The nominees include E4 for Misfits, and Channel 5 for The Gadget Show, along with the Food Network UK and Radio 5 Live.

Freesat managing director Emma Scott said: "The standard of entries this year has been fantastic, and we're excited to be announcing this year's shortlist.

"Our awards continue to go from strength to strength and we'd like to congratulate all those who entered on the high standard of their entries. The nominees demonstrate the fantastic quality, breadth and depth of choice in programming now available on Freesat."

The judging panel is made up of individuals from the media industry, including Radio Times editor Ben Preston, Thinkbox chief executive Tess Alps, The Daily Telegraph's Neil Midgley and ex-GMTV chairman Clive Jones. The panel is chaired by media analyst Kate Bulkley.

As in previous years, there will be two viewer-chosen categories for TV and radio channels of the year. All winners will be announced at the Freesat Awards ceremony in London's Soho on July 12.

The nominees in full run as follows:

Best Entertainment Channel of the Year
E4
ITV1
ITV2
BBC Three

Best Small Entertainment Channel of the Year
CBS Drama
CBS Reality
True Entertainment

Best Digital Radio Channel
Absolute Classic Rock
Absolute Radio
BBC Radio 4 Extra
BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra
Planet Rock

News Channel of the Year
Al Jazeera English
BBC News
CNBC
FRANCE 24
NHK World TV

News Event Coverage of the Year
Al Jazeera English
BBC Radio 5 live
FRANCE 24
NHK World TV
ITV1

Best Themed Channel
CBS Drama
Food Network UK
True Movies 1
Vintage TV
Zing

Best Specialist Music Channel
Flava
NME TV
Planet Rock
Vintage TV

Best Children's Channel
CBBC
Cbeebies
Pop
Tiny Pop
Milkshake

Best Children's Programming Initiative
Milkshake
PopGirl (Spotlight)
CBBC (Live 'n' Deadly)

Audience Impact Award
BBC Radio 5 live
Create and Craft
E4 (Misfits)
Channel 5 (The Gadget Show)
Food Network UK

Best Shopping Channel
Create and Craft
Ideal World
Jewellery Maker
QVC