BBC Doc Takes Prize at RTS Television Sports Awards

LONDON, June 12: BBC Worldwide’s More Than a Game,
on the history of the FIFA World Cup, received an
award for best sports documentary at this year’s RTS Television Sports Awards.

Representing the series was the episode entitled Argentina—From
Darkness into the Light, produced by
Alastair Laurence. It beat out other nominees in the Best Sports Documentary
category such as Panorama: Undercover—Football's Dirty Secrets and Planet Ping Pong.

Known as World Cup Stories in the U.K., the program, which follows the 76-year history of the FIFA World Cup, has been sold by BBC
Worldwide to more than 40 territories. More
Than a Game was the brainchild of Richard
Hornsby-Smith, the sports sales manager for BBC Worldwide. Hornsby-Smith took
the concept to the BBC in 2003 and as the
associate producer for BBC Worldwide worked very closely with series producer
Tom Ware.

Hornsby-Smith commented: “To see More Than a Game win this award is a testament to the fantastic work
Tom Ware and his team put into the project. It is especially pleasing to have
been involved in such a successful series from the outset and to see the
program develop from initial concept to international success. BBC Worldwide’s
catalogue now includes not only top-flight live sporting events, but also
award-winning sports programming.”