Springwatch: Special Award Recipient in 2011

Springwatch, the BBC’s hit nature programme, has won a special BAFTA at the 2011 Television Craft Awards. It scooped the Award in recognition of the team’s outstanding creative and technical teamwork both behind the camera and online.

Much-loved by viewers for following the fortunes of British wildlife during the changing seasons, the show’s presenters have included Bill Oddie, Kate Humble, Martin Hughes-Games and Chris Packham.

“It’s a symphony of off-screen talent, calmly doing their jobs at a high level of technical and professional ability,” says Tim Scoones, BBC Natural History Unit executive producer.

“We go on air at eight o’clock in the evening and it all comes together – it still gives me a tingle.”

The award was given at this year’s TV Craft ceremony, held at The Brewery in London on Sunday 8 May 2011.

Springwatch, and its sister show Autumnwatch, go out live on BBC2 over three weeks in May, June and October.

The show leads the way in live broadcasting and multiplatform production, producing up to 30 hours of primetime TV a year, alongside a sophisticated website.

Each programme is broadcast live from around the country. This requires a crew of over 100 people working with at least 50 cameras. It makes the show one of the BBC’s largest British outside broadcast events.

“Strong teamwork and constant innovation drive our passion to engage and involve the British public with the wonderful wildlife they find around them”.
– Tim Scoones, BBC Natural History Unit executive producer

Chris Packham is quick to credit the 100-plus people who make each series.

“The award is a celebration of the endeavour of every team member,” he says.

“Presenters get way too much attention – they’re only part of a very large, well-oiled machine and are nothing without it.”

“Consistent support from the BBC as well as recent advances in digital broadcast and web technology have allowed us to develop a long-term and potent relationship with our audience, who now contribute so much themselves to the TV shows and the website,” adds Scoones.

A BAFTA Special Award is one of the academy’s highest honours recognising an outstanding contribution to film, games or television. You can see more award winners in our Awards database.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV explore our BAFTA Award Stories section.