Industry

The Royal Television Society (RTS) has officially opened submissions for the 2026 RTS Craft & Design Awards, inviting entries across 27 competitive categories that recognize the creative and technical talent behind the UK's television industry. Entries will remain open until September 4, 2026, with the winners set to be announced during a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane on December 7, 2026. The awards are chaired by Emma Gormley, Managing Director of Daytime at ITV Studios.

The competition spans a broad range of disciplines, including Casting, Production Design, Picture Enhancement, Directing and Sound, rewarding innovation, craftsmanship and technical excellence across television production. As in previous years, the RTS will also present its Special Award and Outstanding Contribution Award at its discretion. In 2025, these honors were awarded to the craft team behind Adolescence and vision mixer Hilary Briegel, respectively.

Emma Gormley said: "In a period of significant change for the television industry, it is more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the exceptional talent, creativity and craftsmanship behind the very best of UK programming. From the spark of an idea in development to the final stages of post-production, every programme results from remarkable collaboration, innovation and expertise. Returning as Chair this year, I am excited to see how the latest submissions reflect the industry's continued evolution. New technologies, tighter budgets, creative approaches, and new ways of working are opening up fresh possibilities, while the extraordinary skill, ingenuity and dedication of the people behind the camera remain at the heart of everything we do. I look forward to celebrating work that not only demonstrates outstanding technical and creative excellence, but also reflects the resilience, ambition and world-class talent that continue to define UK television."

The RTS said it continues to encourage submissions that reflect diversity across both the television industry and wider society. Eligible entries must have been first delivered in the UK, either through broadcast or online streaming, between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.