Shortlisted programmes represent the most-talked about TV moments of 2018. Public voting opens 27 March, with the winner announced at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards on Sunday 12 May 2019
Today, Virgin Media announces the six nominees for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment, the only award at the British Academy Television Awards to be voted for by the public. The winner will be revealed during the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards ceremony on Sunday 12 May at the Royal Festival Hall, London.
Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment celebrates the dramatic scenes, cliff hangers, laugh-out-loud and edge-of-your-seat TV moments that got the attention of the British public in 2018. It highlights the TV that got the nation talking, tweeting and sharing, recognising the on-screen moments that truly resonated with TV fans across the UK.
The six Must-See Moment 2019 nominees are:
BBC, Bodyguard – Julia Montague assassinated - https://youtu.be/prwt6V2TDPE
ITV, Coronation Street – Gail’s Monologue on the suicide of Aidan Connor - https://youtu.be/rpsuFzMZJfg
BBC, Doctor Who - Rosa Parks, The Doctor and her companions make sure historical moments remain - https://youtu.be/djBJteXBZRI
BBC, Peter Kay’s Car Share – The Finale - https://youtu.be/8s8CsUk9vYQ
Netflix, Queer Eye – Tom completes his transformation - https://youtu.be/uoIbYUJkbvw
This year’s nominees reflect some of the biggest conversations of 2018, covering a diverse range of topics including: conflict; mental health; race equality and gender roles. From the serious to the surreal, these were the moments that had the nation staying in to watch the best TV together.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite Must-See Moment online at virginmedia.com/bafta and will also have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win tickets to attend the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards. For the second year, Virgin Media customers can vote through their television, via their TiVo® or V6 box.
Voting opens on Wednesday 27 March from 8am and closes on 1 May at 5pm.
David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media said: “Now in its third year, Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment award has celebrated some of the most talked about TV, and confirms that television in Britain is at the heart of our national conversation. Last year’s worthy winner, Blue Planet II, started a movement that became a global cause to clean up our oceans. This year’s incredibly strong list of nominees represent some of the biggest conversations of 2018 and prove that TV has never been better, or more popular. Now it’s over to the viewers to get voting and pick their favourite Must-See Moment.”
Krishnendu Majumdar, Chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee, said: “2018 was a standout year for television, making this an exciting category for the 2019 ceremony. We are delighted to be revealing the six moments that really showcase the very best, and most-talked about, programmes of the year, demonstrating what BAFTA is about: excellence and inspiration. I can’t wait to see what the public chose in what is sure to be a close contest.”
Quote from Virgin Media Ambassador and Must-See Moment Judge Caitlin Moran: “Television continues to be the friend in all our sitting rooms, or on our phones and laptops: providing possibly the only current talking-points that don’t end in people madly shouting at each other. Your favourite TV moment of the year might be Jodie Whittaker and her companions reliving the historical Rosa Parks story, the cliffhanger ending of Killing Eve, or the happy love story in Peter Kay’s Car Share - but you’ll almost certainly have watched, and loved, every single one of our finalists. It is a continuing joy to be a judge on the Virgin Media Must-See Moment Award panel. Come and join in the mildly heated and happy debate."
Quote from Virgin Media Ambassador and celebrity TV fan, Rylan Clark-Neal: “With so much amazing TV, it’s no wonder the nation are choosing to stay ‘in-in’ at the weekend rather than going out-out. I’m planning a big sofa sesh with my friends and family to catch up on all the Virgin Media Must-See Moment nominations in style – drinks on ice, luxe loungewear on, snacks at the ready – before voting for my fave. I’m really intrigued to see which Must-See Moment the nation crowns the winner!"
The full list of the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards nominees will be announced on Thursday 28th March at 7.30am, on Facebook (facebook.com/bafta) and Twitter (@BAFTA).
Notes to editors:
For accreditation, photography, BAFTA logos, press releases and more visit www.bafta.org/press
About the Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment nominations: virginmedia.com/bafta
#MustSeeMoment #BAFTATV #VirginMediaBAFTAs
BBC, Bodyguard - Julia Montague assassinated
Episode: 3
As Home Secretary Julia Montague delivers a speech, her bodyguard David Budd identifies a threat and sprints to protect her. But before he reaches the stage it is ripped apart by an explosion. Regaining consciousness in a scene of destruction, surrounded by dead and dying, Budd finds Julia seriously injured.
Encapsulating the craft of great TV writing, with a cliff-hanger aimed to keep viewers on tenterhooks and a twist which nobody saw coming. The most watched TV drama of 2018 still had the nation talking long after the dust had settled.
ITV, Coronation Street – Gail’s Monologue on the Suicide of Aidan Connor
Episode: 9451-52
As news of local businessman Aidan Connor’s suicide ripples throughout the community, long-standing Coronation Street resident Gail Rodwell reflects on the tragic event, the impact on Aidan’s father, and how easy it is to remain oblivious to someone’s personal struggles.
This moving monologue from Weatherfield matriarch Gail is an example of how powerful TV can play a role in everyday lives. The moment helped spark an important conversation on mental health, with a surge of people across the UK calling mental health and suicide helplines after the programmed aired.
BBC, Doctor Who – Rosa Parks, The Doctor & her companions make sure historical moments remain
Episode: 3 Rosa
It has been a long and difficult hunt; Eve has chased Villanelle all the way across Europe and back, following a trail of victims that included her own friends. Having traced Villanelle to her apartment they now find themselves face to face across her bed. But what happens now?
Challenging gender roles with the first feminine serial killer, this kiss or kill moment had the nation taking to social media to predict what happens next…
BBC, Peter Kay’s Car Share – The Finale
Epidoe: Finale
Whilst John and Kayleigh are waiting at a red light, Kayleigh spots a hedgehog trying to cross a busy dual carriageway. Fearing it will be squashed by the traffic she gets out of the car to rescue the little creature, but doesn’t realise the chaos she is causing behind her!
Written by stand-up comic stars Peter Kay and Sian Gibson, the show’s perfect blend of hilarity and feel-good scripting has captured the heart of the nation. This moment captures that blend perfectly, leaving viewers in stitches as Kayleigh’s hedgehog rescue results in John’s car getting wrecked.
Netflix, Queer Eye – Tom Completes His Transformation
Episode: You Can’t Fix Ugly (101)
A lonely dump-truck driver with a big ol' heart goes from "ugly" to unbelievable to win back the love of his life. The fab five bring their infectious brand of self-love, confidence and encouragement teach him how to reverse years of bad habits before unveiling the newly transformed Tom to tears of joy and applause.
This moment on Queer Eye, where Tom was moved to tears after seeing and feeling his personal transformation, is recognised for craft behind its reality format, scripting and editing and as an example of how TV can promote positivity, wellbeing and inclusivity.
For further information, please contact:
Claire Walley
T 07784 217380
E [email protected]
Patrick Ellerington
T 07986 501980
E [email protected]
Olivia McKee, Virgin Media
T 0333 000 2900
E [email protected]
Kerry McGlone, Freuds
T 020 3003 6648
E [email protected]
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
About Virgin Media
Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK and Ireland: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline. Our dedicated, ultrafast network delivers the fastest widely-available broadband speeds to homes and businesses and we’re expanding this through our Project Lightning programme, which will extend our network to up to 17 million premises. Our interactive Virgin TV service brings live TV, thousands of hours of on- demand programming and the best apps and games to customers through a set-top box, as well as on-the-go through tablets and smartphones. Virgin Mobile launched the world’s first virtual mobile network, offering fantastic value and flexible services. We are also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the UK and Ireland. Through Virgin Media Business, we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest speeds and tailor-made services. Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband company. Liberty Global connects 21 million customers through operations in 10 countries across Europe subscribing to 45 million TV, broadband internet and telephony services. It also serves 6 million mobile subscribers and offers WiFi service through 12 million access points across its footprint.
