TV Baftas postponed as RTS live streams ceremony

Gentleman Jack

UK TV awards ceremonies are adapting to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, with the Baftas postponed and the Royal Television Society (RTS) live streaming the event.

The annual TV Baftas ceremony, which celebrates the makers and stars of UK television, had been due to take place on 17 May, with nominations set to be announced next week. Organisers say that the event will now be held later in the year.

Organisers said the decision had been made “following the latest government advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19)”, with the British Academy Television Craft Awards, originally scheduled for 26 April, also postponed.

“The announcement of the nominations, scheduled for next Thursday (26 March), will also be postponed until closer to the ceremony. We’re working with all our partners to explore options for new dates and we hope to be in a position to confirm them in the coming weeks.”

The RTS, meanwhile, went ahead and live streamed its 2020 Programme Awards, crowning the winners in absentia.

The winners were revealed by writer and comedian Paul Merton and were streamed live to nominees and viewers at home, via the RTS website.

Gentleman Jack, a Lookout Point Production in association with HBO, won best drama series, while Twenty Twenty Productions’ The Choir: Our School By The Tower was named best documentary series.

World of Wonder Productions’ RuPaul’s Drag Race UK was crowned best entertainment series, while Blast! Films’ Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain won best history programme. The Judges’ Award went to Jane Featherstone, founder and CEO at Chernobyl prodco Sister Pictures.

The announcements come after the UK government’s recent recommendations that citizens avoid all unnecessary travel and large gatherings.