Seattle Channel honored with 30 Government Programming Awards

Seattle Channel won 30 Government Programming Awards, including seven Awards of Excellence, 13 Awards of Distinction, and ten Awards of Honor, at the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) annual conference and virtual awards ceremony this week. NATOA has been celebrating the achievements of local government programmers across the nation for more than 30 years.

"Seattle Channel provides an invaluable service to the city, especially in these times of change, crisis, and renewal," said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. "From coverage of city business to stories of Seattle's vibrant arts and culture scene, the channel works hard to help Seattleites stay inspired, engaged, and connected to their city. I congratulate everyone at Seattle Channel, whose ongoing dedication led to these prestigious awards."

Seattle Channel won first place Awards of Excellence in the categories for sports programming, election coverage, and for the profile of a person, business, or organization. The station also received the top award for best use of social media, most innovative use of video, and in the craft categories for editing and video journalism. The team was recognized with Awards of Distinction and Awards of Honor in a wide range of categories including children/young adults, interview/talk, special audience, animal services, arts and entertainment, magazine series, news series, public health (COVID), and overall excellence.

"Seattle Channel consistently delivers on their commitment to producing high-quality, inspiring programming that reflects Seattle's diverse and creative community, while also providing vital transparency and accountability in city government," said City Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle), chair of the Council's Transportation and Utilities Committee, which oversees the Seattle Information Technology Department and Seattle Channel. "Our city is fortunate to have an award-winning resource like Seattle Channel. Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition."

"The Seattle Channel team is not only dedicated to their mission of telling the City's stories that reflect, inform and inspire the community through art, news, and different perspectives, but they are also a group of extremely talented and professional journalists," said Seattle's Interim Chief Technology Officer, Jim Loter. "The team continues to evolve journalism and raise the bar on government programming year after year."

NATOA is a national association representing the needs and interests of local governments in the areas of communications, broadband, and technology. Its annual Government Programming Awards (GPAs) honor excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia, and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. This year, NATOA recognized the work of government agencies across the nation in 66 categories including community events, documentary, public affairs, interview/talk show, performing arts, sports, and election coverage, as well as several new categories for programming specific to COVID-19.

"Congratulations to our staff, colleagues, and partners, who all strive to build connection and understanding through storytelling with a community and government focus," said Shannon Gee, Seattle Channel's general manager. "Seattle Channel is fortunate and grateful to be a part of this unique and powerful network of talented government broadcast professionals. This acknowledgment from our peers is appreciated and humbling."

Here is a list of Seattle Channel's 2021 NATOA awards and award-winning programs:

Awards of Excellence:

Sports Programming: Seattle Kraken Embrace and Support Equity

Election Coverage: City Inside/Out: Referendum 90

Profile of a Person, Business or Organization: CityStream - Greg Roth: Cycling with Purpose

Innovative Use of Video: ONYX Fine Arts Collective & Gallery

Use of Social Media Platforms: Seattle Channel staff (Follow Seattle Channel on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok)

Editing: Seattle Channel staff

Video Journalism: Seattle Channel staff

Awards of Distinction:

Edited Community Event Coverage: 2020 Fallen Firefighter Memorial

Children/Young Adults: CityStream - Young Women Choreography

Interview/Talk Show: City Inside/Our: Future of the Seattle Police Department

Election Coverage: CityStream: Common Power, Fixers & Lessons from the Past

Special Audience: Celebrate 30 Years of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Animal Services: CityStream Advanced Treatment for Aging Zoo Animals

Arts & Entertainment: Art Zone with Nancy Guppy

Public Health (COVID) long form:City Inside/Out - Vexed Over Vaccine

Innovative Use of Video: CityStream - Canlis Restaurant in Pandemic Times

News Series: City Inside/Out

Magazine Format Series: CityStream

Videography: Seattle Channel staff

Overall Excellence: Seattle Channel

Awards of Honor:

Ethnic Experience: City Inside/Out: Anti-Asian Attacks

Children/Young Adults: High School Seniors Celebrate Online

Parks & Recreation: Washington Arboretum Park Virtual Tour

Public Health (COVID) short form: Covid Testing Site

Public Health (COVID) short form: Building Trust in BIPOC Communities Battling COVID-19

Public Health (COVID) long form: CityStream - COVID Year in Review

Profile of a City/County Dept. or Employee: CityStream - Seattle Restaurants & Retailers Stepping Out

Profile of a Person, Business or Organization: CityStream - Whim W'Him Contemporary Dance Group

Public Education: Seattle's Shelter Response During COVID-19

Best COVID-19 Update/Virtual Production: City Inside/Out - COVID-19 Homeless Help

Seattle Channel is an award-winning municipal television station that reflects, informs, and inspires the community it serves with a local mix of news, analysis, stories, and perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Watch Seattle Channel on cable television channel 21 on Comcast (321 HD) and Wave (721 HD) for cable subscribers in Seattle. Programming is also available online at Seattle Channel's website, YouTube, or find older videos in the Seattle Municipal Archives Digital Collections.

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