2015 ASTRA Award winners announced

Sky News was named Channel of the Year at the 2015 ASTRA Awards for subscription television and broadcasting in Sydney on Thursday night. Held at The Star in Sydney’s Pyrmont, the ASTRAs presented 19 awards to a number of television channels and hosts during the evening, and also marked 20 years of subscription television in Australia. The event was hosted by American personality Giuliana Rancic from the E! Network. Sky News was the clear winner of the night, also winning Most Outstanding News Program for Paul Murray Live, Most Outstanding Presenter – Male for Paul Murray and Most Outstanding Performance by a Broadcast Journalist for David Speers, rounding up the total number of wins with 4 awards. It was the second time Sky News won the top award, having won it last time in 2006. For Speers it was his eight ASTRA Award – the most ever won by an individual – while Murray won his double awards for the first time. SoHo’s Wentworth took out Most Outstanding Australian Drama, with its star Danielle Cormack winning Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female. Andrew McFarlance was also awarded for his role in Devil’s Playground on Showcase, with the ASTRA Award for Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male. Entertainment channel Arena won the Channel Achievement Award, whilst Game of Thrones won Most Outstanding Drama – International. Season one of Fox8’s The Recruit took out the award for Most Outstanding Reality Program, while chef Matt Moran’s series Paddock to Plate on The LifeStyle Channel won Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program for the second year in a row. Community channel Aurora’s Phyllis Foundis was named Most Outstanding New Talent for her crowd funded debut season of men’s chat show Foundis. Some final awards were shared between Nickelodeon, ESPN, BBC Knowledge and Cartoon Network. A number of notable celebrities attended the event including the cast of Dance Moms, The Real Housewives of Melbourne and A Place to Call Home, with Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Eddie McGuire and Jennifer Hawkins rounding up the talent.