BAFTA Unveils New Dates for TV Awards Shows

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has confirmed new dates for this year’s Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards.

Originally scheduled for spring 2020, both events were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards will now take place on July 31, and will be broadcast live on BBC One, while the British Academy Television Craft Awards will take place on July 17, and will be broadcast live through BAFTA’s social channels. Nominations for both awards shows will be announced on June 4. The nominations for the public-voted Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment will be announced on June 3.

Richard Ayoade will host the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards for the first time, while Stephen Mangan is returning to host the Television Craft Awards for a ninth turn. In accordance with current restrictions, both events will take place as closed-studio, socially-distanced shows, with nominees invited to accept their awards virtually.

Ayoade said: “I am as surprised as you are that this is still going ahead.”

Mangan said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be hosting the BAFTA Craft Awards again—handing out our industry’s highest accolades to the people who make this country’s television world-leading. The format might have to change a little this year but nothing will stop me putting on black tie and celebrating their success.”

Amanda Berry OBE, chief executive at BAFTA, said: “We are delighted to confirm the new dates and formats for both the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and the British Academy Television Craft Awards this year. We want to celebrate and reward the talented individuals who make up the television industry, both behind and in front of the camera, many of whom have continued to entertain and inform the nation in recent weeks. I am thrilled that Richard Ayoade will be hosting the Television Awards for the first time, with Stephen Mangan joining us for a ninth time to host the Television Craft Awards, with them at the helm, both events are set to be great entertainment. Following the success of the online British Academy Games Awards in March, we are proud to be delivering a further two Awards shows during this difficult time.”

Kate Phillips, commissioning controller for entertainment at the BBC, said: “I’m really pleased we’re able to bring the BAFTA TV Awards 2020 to BBC One next month. As always they will celebrate the best of British TV throughout the year, as well as highlight the great programming and memorable moments that have entertained so many throughout recent tough times.”