Antenna Awards


The Antenna Awards is an Australian awards ceremony which recognises outstanding achievements in community television production. First held in 2004, the ceremony is produced by C31 Melbourne, and is broadcast by terrestrial community television stations across Australia.
Nominations are accepted from producers, presenters and other volunteers within the sector for programming produced within the eligibility period of each ceremony. Entries are judged entirely by a panel decided by the event organisers; previously, the Viewers' Choice Award allowed for Channel 31 viewers to nominate their favourite programs in a given year.
Between 2004 and 2010 the awards were held annually – first at RMIT University's Storey Hall, and later at the Deakin Edge at Federation Square. In 2014, the awards were revived to honour 20 years of community television in Brisbane and Melbourne, and were held again in 2019 to honour 25 years of C31 Melbourne.

Original run

2005

Best Comedy Program – The Shambles, Nathan Valvo & Sean LynchBest Drama ProgramThe Video Store, Sam Barrett & Adrian McfarlaneBest Arts Program – Gallery Watch, Tibor MeszarosBest Music Program – Turkish Star Australia, Ses PromotionsBest Variety ProgramGet Up Tucked, Ricarp ProductionsBest News/Current Affairs ProgramThe Sauce, Alison Murphy & Natasha DuckettBest Interview Program – Ro Tv, Curtin University & Rotary WaBest Sports Program – The Hockey Show, Dan Miles & Hugh JellieBest Panel Program – No Limits, Sarah BartonBest Live / Outside Broadcast Program – Carols in the Park, Dean Gray & Peter Wood Best Indigenous Program – Beyond Their Limits, Paul Deeming & Chris BayleyBest Children's Program – Hello Music, Karen KimBest Youth Program – Teenwire, Simon Hydzik & Glenn ClarkeBest Living & Learning Program – End To End – Lawn Bowls in Wa, Allan Blair & Simon HydzikBest Culturally & Linguistically Diverse ProgramSalam Café, Ahmed HassanBest Faith Based & Spiritual Development Program – Salam Café, Ahmed HassanBest Sound – Plug-In, Simon Moule & Salvador CastroBest Camerawork – Citylife, Anthony AbicairBest Editing – Plug-In, Simon Moule & Salvador CastroBest Music CompositionThe C Word "31 Song", Nicky BombaBest Director – The Shambles, Nathan Valvo, Sean Lynch & Anthony ZiellaBest Program Id/Main Title/Promo – The Sauce, Alison Murphy & Natasha DuckettBest Sponsorship Announcement – Acland St Traders Association, Graham C IrwinBest Program That Supports Local Metropolitan Communities – Get Up Tucked, Ricarp ProductionsBest Program That Supports Local Rural And Regional Communities – Exmouth on Show, Anita Krsnik & Michael ZampognaBest New Producer – Simon Christie & Miranda Christie, 4wd TvBest Female Presenter – Krystal Manson, This Town BrisbaneBest Male Presenter – Dieter Kahsnitz, The C WordViewer's Choice Award – 4wd Tv, Simon Christie & Miranda ChristieProducer of the Year – Campbell Manderson, Debra Weddall & Jacinta Hicken, The Activist AwardsProgram of the Year – No Limits, Sarah Barton

2006

Best Comedy ProgramThe Ugly StickBest Drama ProgramYartzBest Arts ProgramMasterclass in OilsBest Music ProgramOn the CouchBest Variety ProgramTeenwireBest News/Current Affairs ProgramQUT NewsBest Interview Program – C-WordBest Sports ProgramWake LifeBest Panel ProgramNo LimitsBest Live or Outside Broadcast ProgramScience in the PubBest Indigenous ProgramBobtalesBest Children's ProgramJelly JymBest Youth ProgramClass TVBest Living and Learning ProgramThe Garden TapBest Culturally and Linguistically Diverse ProgramFusion LatinaBest Personal and/or Spiritual Development ProgramTickets Passport and TarotBest SoundThe LaunchBest Camerawork – Michael Rachelle – Sk82death Best Editing – Simon Hydzik – TeenwiseBest Music CompositionUgly StickBest Director – Mat Jones – Public HolidayBest Program ID/Main Title/Promo123 TVBest Sponsorship AnnouncementUgly StickCrumpler BagBest Program that Supports Local Metropolitan CommunitiesLocal KnowledgeBest Program that Supports Rural and Regional CommunitiesNortham Back to FutureBest New Producer – Lyn Vickery & Rob Solomon – Wake Up PerthBest Female PresenterOn the Couch – Steph Rogers Best Male Presenter – C-Word – Dieter KahsntizProducer of the Year – Don Miles & Hugh Jellie – Hockey ShowProgram of the YearSalam Café

2007

Best Living and Learning Program : No LimitsBest Program that Supports New and Emerging Communities: Salam CaféBest Comedy: In Wollongong TonightBest Young Persons program: sk82deathBest Indigenous program: BobtalesBest Arts: Rock and Roll Cooking ShowBest Program that Promotes Community Harmony & Diversity: No LimitsBest Drama: One Night StandBest Music Composition: More AmoreBest Music program: Rock and Roll Cooking ShowBest Female presenter: Vanity PetsBest Male presenter: Vasili's Garden Best Live or outside broadcast: Barnaby FlowersBest Sports: sk82deathBest News or Current Affairs: The C News Focus SpecialBest CALD program: Salam CafeBest Camerawork: sk82deathBest Editing: The Ugly StickBest Director: The Ugly StickBest Producer: Kids LifeBest Sound: Rock and Roll Cooking ShowOutstanding Production Achievement: Geraldton on ShowProgram of the Year: SignpostOutstanding Contribution to Community Television: Andrew BrineViewers' Choice Award: 4WD TV

2008

The 2008 awards ceremony were held at the BMW Edge theatre, Federation Square on Thursday, 24 April, and broadcast on Sunday, 27 April at 7.30 pm.Best Indigenous ProgramNoongar Dundjoo

2009

Outstanding Arts ProgramThe Bazura ProjectOutstanding Comedy ProgramTalking Comics With Gazz & DazzOutstanding Development ProgramThe Red RoomOutstanding Female Presenter – Kat Bergin; Theatregames LiveOutstanding Interview Program – No LimitsOutstanding Lifestyle ProgramVasili's GardenOutstanding Male PresenterSteve Hurd - No LimitsOutstanding Music ProgramScout TvOutstanding News ProgramThe Union ShowOutstanding Special Presentation/One Off ProgramATVAA; Racing with the SeadragonsOutstanding Cald ProgramFusion LatinaOutstanding Cald Producer: Milano LiveraFusion LatinaOutstanding Exterior Broadcast ProgramStudio AOutstanding Program of the YearStudio AOutstanding Recreational ProgramOn The WaterOutstanding Sports ProgramThe Surfers LifeOutstanding Technical ExcellenceLiving on the CoastOutstanding Contribution Community Tv ProgramDavid MclaughlinOutstanding Theme MusicBrain DateOutstanding Youth Program1700

2010

In 2010, C31 Melbourne Antenna Awards were held on Sunday 27 June at BMW Edge from Federation Square, Melbourne.Program of the Year - Dare I Ask?Outstanding Achievement in Technical InnovationThe Mutant WayOutstanding Arts Program - Fusion LatinaOutstanding Comedy ProgramThe Mutant WayOutstanding Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Program - The Pinoy LoungeOutstanding Factual, Current Affairs Or Interview ProgramDare I Ask?Outstanding Female Presenter -' Jackie Doran: The Naughty Rude ShowOutstanding Male PresenterMitch Mctaggart: Socially InadequateOutstanding Information Or Lifestyle Program - Horse Talk TvOutstanding Live Or Outside Broadcast ProgramThe InquiryOutstanding Music ProgramAsylum TvOutstanding Original Theme Music CompositionDancing About Architecture – Ben Birchall And Dave McgannOutstanding Outdoor Recreational Program - Hound TvOutstanding Sports Program - The Local Footy ShowOutstanding Young Persons Program'The Naughty Rude Show

Revivals

On 1 July 2014, C31 Melbourne announced the return of the Antenna Awards for 2014, to mark 20 years since the first broadcasts of C31 Melbourne and 31 Digital Brisbane. Following the success of a Pozible crowdfunding campaign, the 2014 Antenna Awards were held on 1 October 2014 at the Deakin Edge at Federation Square in Melbourne, with 13 Antennas awarded.
On 4 July 2019, C31 Melbourne announced a second revival of the Antenna Awards, marking 25 years since the channel's first broadcast. The 2019 Antenna Awards were held on 5 October 2019, with 24 Antennas awarded.
On 1 February 2021, C31 Melbourne announced a third revival of the Antenna Awards. The 2021 Antenna Awards will be held on 19 June 2021, instead of 29 May 2021, and will mark the 10th time the awards have been held since their inception in 2004.

Awards

As of the 2019 Antenna Awards, awards are given in 23 categories:
  • Outstanding Direction in a Program
  • Outstanding Sound in a Program
  • Outstanding Editing in a Program
  • Outstanding Camera Work in a Program
  • Outstanding Theme Song in a Program
  • Best Comedy Program
  • Best Music Program
  • Best Factual, Current Affairs or Interview Program
  • Best Culturally and/or Linguistically Diverse Program
  • Best Special Interest or Lifestyle Program
  • Best Sports Program
  • Best Outdoor or Recreational Program
  • Best Youth Program
  • Best Live and/or Outside Broadcast
  • Best Narrative and/or Fictional Program
  • Best Actor in a Narrative Drama, Comedy or Sketch
  • Best Journalism in a Program
  • Best Culturally and/or Linguistically Diverse Personality
  • Youth Personality of the Year
  • Personality of the Year
  • Outstanding Creative Achievement in a Program
  • Outstanding Contribution to Community by a Program
  • Program of the Year