London, 4 October 2012: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced today that entry is open for the 2013 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards. Together, they reward very best television broadcast on British screens during the preceding year.

Following a successful partnership that began with Title Sponsorship of the Television Awards earlier in 2012, it was also announced today that Arqiva – the communications infrastructure and media services company – will return as Title Sponsor of the Awards in 2013.

All television programmes broadcast between 16 February and 31 December 2012 are eligible for entry to the Awards,

To ensure their relevance within the industries, all categories within BAFTA’s Awards ceremonies undergo regular review. In 2013, the Television Craft Awards will offer wider recognition for writers with changes to the writing category, and an enhanced Digital Creativity category.

Two new writing categories have been created – Writer: Drama and Writer: Comedy – reflecting the various writing styles for television. The Digital Creativity category has been enhanced to include eligibility of online material related to a television programme entered into the Television Awards.

Discussing the changes to the writing category, Chairman of the BAFTA Television Committee, Andrew Newman, said: “Creating two separate genre awards for writing recognises the importance of writing as a craft, and also the variation in styles of writing for television.”

On the continuation of Title Sponsorship of the Television Awards into 2013, John Cresswell, Chief Executive of Arqiva, said: “The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards celebrate the very best of television and reinforce British broadcasting’s reputation as the envy of the world. Arqiva is delighted to continue its support for the Awards, emphasizing our commitment across both television and radio.”

The British Academy Television Craft Awards will be held on Sunday 28 April, with nominations announced on Monday 25 March, 2013. Further information can be found at www.bafta.org/television/craft-awards.

The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards will be held on Sunday 12 May, with nominations announced on Tuesday 9 April, 2013. Further information can be found at www.bafta.org/television/awards.