This week at the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) annual conference awards ceremony, Seattle Channel earned 25 Government Programming Awards, including four Awards of Excellence. In addition to receiving 15 Awards of Distinction and six Awards of Honor for its civic and cultural programming, the station also received 15 Awards of Distinction and six Awards of Honor. Since 1980, the NATOA has honored the accomplishments of local government programmers throughout the country.
We want strong communication, community, and teamwork as our city strives to heal and rebuild itself after a difficult few of years. Seattle Channel represents our One Seattle values and goals via its commitment to inclusive and in-depth programming, as stated by Mayor Bruce Harrell. “We are lucky to have access to this great source of informed and exciting programming, which varies from crucial public policy discussions to invigorating arts coverage to celebrations of our various neighborhoods – a genuine representation of the Seattle we adore. I congratulate the crew on receiving these well-deserved honors.”
In the categories of sports programming, seniors, profile of a person, company, or organization, and documentary, Seattle Channel earned first place in the Awards of Excellence. The team received Awards of Distinction and Awards of Honor in a variety of categories, including interview or talk show; election coverage; ethnic experience; diversity, equity, and inclusion; arts and entertainment; public safety; public education; community awareness; news series; magazine format series; and best use of social media video. In addition, the station garnered Awards of Distinction in the craft categories of videography, editing, narrative, and overall quality.
The winning programs contain a segment about two young ladies from the Seattle region who have risen to the top of the archery world via their devotion, long hours of training, and tremendous mental concentration. Another winner was an episode of City Inside/Out that examined Washington Cares, the new state program that would provide Washington workers with long-term care benefits. Matt Paynton, popularly known as “Batman in Seattle,” was the subject of a feature that received high praise for its depiction of the man behind the mask and his fellow crime fighters at Costumed Characters for Causes who bring joy to charitable events. The first prize went to a short documentary on one of the lesser-known attractions from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the Bubbleator, which traced the tortuous course the spherical elevator has made since departing the Seattle Center complex.
Sara Nelson, a municipal councilwoman, said, “Seattle Channel once again demonstrates what a crucial service they serve the community” (Position 9, Citywide). This acknowledgement of the channel’s dedication to producing high-quality, educational, and interesting programming emphasizes how fortunate we are to have a station that is committed to the community it serves. As one of the Seattle Channel’s greatest supporters, I’d like to congratulate the crew on this well-deserved achievement.
This year, the NATOA honored the achievements of government agencies in 70 categories. These include familiar categories such as community events, documentaries, public affairs, interview or talk shows, performing arts, sports, and election coverage in addition to several new categories for programming focusing on ethnic experience and diversity, equity, and inclusion; storytelling; and an award for the best use of social media platforms and website.
“The Seattle Channel team continues to lift the bar in its coverage of Seattle’s varied stories,” said Seattle’s interim chief technology officer, Jim Loter. “The range of the awarded stories demonstrates the channel’s dedication to reaching people and ensuring that all voices in the city are heard.
Seattle Channel’s general manager, Shannon Gee, said, “Seattle Channel is delighted to be a member of the NATOA community and tremendously honored to earn these accolades from our municipal broadcast colleagues.” “Seattle Channel works relentlessly to elevate Seattle’s people and stories and does everything possible to offer citizens with access to and knowledge about our government. We are honored to serve the public with devotion and quality in broadcasting, and we try every day to do so with honesty and compassion.
NATOA is a national organization that represents the needs and interests of local governments in communications, broadband, and technology. The Government Programs Awards (GPAs) recognize outstanding broadcast, cable, multimedia, and electronic programming produced by local government organizations. The entire list of award recipients is accessible on the website of the NATOA.
Here is a list of the 2022 NATOA awards and winning shows for Seattle Channel:
Honors for Excellence
Two Young Women Strive for Greatness in Sports Programming
Seniors: Inside/Outside the City: Long-Term Care
Batman in Seattle: a profile of a person, business, or organization
The documentary entitled Bubbleator
Awards of Excellence
Traveling While Black as an Ethnic Group
Diversity/Equality/Inclusion: The Gay News of Seattle
Brittany Davis, artist and entertainer
App for Public Safety: ShakeAlert
Public Education: City Inside/Out – Assistance for Homeowners
City Inside/Out: A New Day for Downtown Seattle
Best Update/Virtual COVID-19 Production: Rebuilding a Troubled Superstar: A Civic Cocktail in Downtown Seattle
Utilization of Social Media and Website (Follow Seattle Channel on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok)
Hyperlapse of sailing, swimming, and sunsets in Seattle throughout the summer
City Inside/Out News Series.
Magazine Format Series: CityStream
Videography
Editing
Storytelling
Overall Excellence
Awards of Merit:
Northgate Light Rail Extension Celebration: Edited Coverage of a Local Event
Interview/Discussion Program: City Inside/Out – Baby Bonds
Coverage of the Election: City Inside/Out – Sawant Recall
Huge Monkees Dance Grant on Parks and Recreation
Profile of a Local Government Department or Worker: A Day in the Life of Mayor Bruce Harrell
Description of a Person, Business, or Organization:
Seattle Channel is a municipal television channel that represents, educates, and inspires the community it serves via a unique blend of local news, analysis, stories, and opinions. Seattle cable users may see Seattle Channel on channel 21 on Comcast (321 HD) and Wave (721 HD) televisions. Programming is also accessible online through the Seattle Channel website, YouTube, or the Seattle Municipal Archives Digital Collections for older programs. Seattle Channel may be followed on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.