Channel 4 scoops six awards at Edinburgh TV Festival 2023

24 August 2023

• Awards for Comedy Series, TV actor (drama), Breakthrough Actor, Best Documentary, Climate Impact and Best Popular Factual series
• New shows and talent recognised alongside established favourites

Channel 4 has won six awards at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival.

Highlighting the channel’s unique remit and distinctively British programming, awards were picked up for five new shows and a comedy favourite at the prestigious event on Thursday evening.

Channel 4 Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said: “Channel 4 and our indie partners put their all into delivering distinctive, impactful and inventive programming that resonates with British audiences, and to see such a wide range of our output recognised at Edinburgh is a joy and a reminder of why Channel 4 exists.

“It’s especially wonderful to see new shows and breakthrough talent receiving awards. It inspires us to keep taking risks and shining a light on important issues, as well as delivering first class entertainment and the freshest comedy on TV.”

Kate Winslet picked up the TV actor (drama) award for her performance in Bafta-winning I Am Ruth, a hard-hitting feature-length instalment of the female-led drama anthology series I Am. For his performance in drama series Somewhere Boy, Lewis Gribben was awarded Breakthrough Actor.

A range of powerful programmes covering important and culturally relevant topics were recognised – including Children of the Taliban, which was awarded Best Documentary for its portrayal of the lives of four children living in Kabul and the changes they have faced since US troops completed their withdrawal and the Taliban swept to power.

For its significant investigation into how Britain makes its power and why it costs so much, Guy Martin's Great British Power Trip took home the coveted Climate Impact Award, and in the Best Popular Factual Series, Rosie Jones’ Trip Hazard came out on top.

In the Scripted Comedy category, hit series Derry Girls won the award in the wake of its triumphant third and final series which aired last year.

Channel 4 received more nominations than any other channel or streamer at this year’s Edinburgh TV Awards, with a record breaking 29 award nominations across 16 different categories. The annual awards recognise and reward outstanding achievement in television. 

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