'Heroes' wins top TCA award

Heroes has been named outstanding programme of the year by the Television Critics Association.

The freshman drama's triumph in the top category capped a bumper night for NBC, who walked away with four key prizes, including outstanding new programme for Friday Night Lights and outstanding achievement in comedy for The Office.

Long-running HBO drama The Sopranos also enjoyed a stellar evening, taking home the heritage award, which recognises shows with "a lasting cultural or social impact", and the outstanding achievement in drama gong.

Dexter star Michael C.Hall beat off strong competition from British actors Helen Mirren and Hugh Laurie to win the individual achievement in drama prize, while Alec Baldwin vanquished Ugly Betty's America Ferrera and his 30 Rock cast mate Tina Fey to take home the individual achievement in comedy gong.

The BBC's nature documentary series Planet Earth won two awards, for outstanding achievement in news and information and outstanding achievement in movies, miniseries and specials.