JTBC, Formosa TV wins conclude ATA 2019 live extravaganza
KUCHING: Leading Korean cable broadcaster JTBC and Taiwan’s Formosa Television were named ‘Cable and Satellite Network of the Year’ and ‘Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year’ at the 23rd Asian Television Awards (ATA) in the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night.
The awards show here, which hosted over 50 top Asian celebrities, was telecast live in 22 countries across the region.
It was a great night as well for the producers of the ‘Voice of Mongolia’, which won two awards – ‘Best Entertainment (One-Off/ Annual)’ and ‘Best Adaptation of an Existing Format’.
‘The Apartment: Passion For Design Edition (Season 6)’ was named ‘Best Reality Show’, while ‘The Remix – India Season 1’ was the ‘Best Music Programme Award’.
The ‘Best Digital Fiction Programme/Series Award’ and ‘Best Direction (Fiction) Award’ went to ‘Notification’ and ‘Siddarth Kumar Tewary’, respectively.
‘Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai’s’ was selected as the ‘Best Single Drama/Telemovie’, while ‘Something in the Rain’ won the ‘Best Drama Series Award’.
Thailand’s most recognisable quiz show host, Varavuth Jentanakul was crowned ATA 2019’s ‘Best Entertainment Presenter/Host’. His show ‘Still Standing Thailand’, also won the ‘Best Game or Quiz Programme Award’.
For recognition in acting, Cheng Rexen and Kim Nam Joo were the recipients of the ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ and ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ awards, resepctively.
Jirayu Tantrakul was this year’s ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role’, while Sinjai Plengpanich won the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ award.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang were the distinguished guests at the event, where Abang Johari handed out both the ‘Cable and Satellite Network of the Year’ and ‘Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year’ awards to the winners.
Other local dignitaries at the global event were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani; Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar; as well as Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
In between the live show, a host of top Asian celebrities like SF9, Qu Wanting and Gary Valenciano staged performances for invited guests and fans. zAmong those also making their appearances were Derek Chun, James Kumar, Ase Wang, Cheng Rexen, Maylada Susri, Kim Nam Joo, Maneerat Kum-Uan, Hu Gua, Ah Xiang, Louis Scott, Ray Macdonald and Jirayu Tantrakul.
The ATA 2019 was organised by ATV Awards Sdn Bhd, with the support of Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
The live telecast was available on iFlix, Bangkok TV, Today TV Vietnam, Channel O Indonesia, Citra Entertainment, Formosa TV, ViuTV, Arirang, ABS-CBN, Astro and Jiangsu Satellite International.
Launched in 1996, ATA is Asian television industry’s most significant and celebrated event, recognising excellence in programming, production and performance.
The awards represent the industry’s foremost recognition to independent production houses across Asia.