NDTV sweeps Television Awards of 2006

New Delhi, Nov 26: NDTV 24X7 has once again been judged the country's best English news channel, second time in a row, by this year's Indian Telly Awards.

Adding to this flattering honour, NDTV has also bagged four awards at the Hero Honda ITA Awards Ceremony, held last evening.

'Muqabla', a popular debate show, won it for NDTV India in the 'Best Talk Show' category; while Barkha Dutt was awarded the 'Best Talk Show Anchor' for the news channel's hallmark show, 'We the People'.

In addition, Sreenivasan Jain bagged the 'Best News/Current Affairs Anchor' for 'Witness', and in the 'Best Lifestyle Show' category, the winner was NDTV's innovative show, 'Spectacular Spas of the World'.

For the second time in a row, NDTV 24X7 was declared the country's best news channel by the Indian Telly Awards.

A brainchild of indiantelevision.com founder Anil Wanvari, the Indian Telly Awards celebrate categories, which determine talent in the television industry during the year. The awards have evolved through the years to a significant stature, recognising the outstanding performances and creative excellence that the Indian silver screen comes up with, year after year.

Beaming with pride, NDTV Chairman Dr Prannoy Roy, on the occasion, said: ''The industry has once again recognised NDTV as the country's best news channel with the best talent and innovative programming. Our strength lies in our people, our credibility and responsibility in delivering news, relevant to our viewers.

''It's a moment of pride and celebrations for all of us at NDTV and I congratulate all the winners and the entire team- both on and off the camera, for putting in such a fantastic effort'', he added.

NDTV's Barkha Dutt was awarded the 'Best Anchor Award - Talk Show' for NDTV's hallmark programme, 'We the People'. The nominees in the category were 'The Big Mumbai Debate', hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai of CNN-IBN, 'Lola T[v]' by Lola Kutty and 'Shabaash India' of Hussain Kuwajerwala.

NDTV's Sreenivasan Jain stole the limelight to win the 'Best News/Current Affairs Anchor' award for the programme 'Witness'.

Among the nominees in this category were Rajdeep Sardesai's, 'Mumbai 7/11', Barkha Dutt's 'India 60 Minutes' and Rajat Sharma's 'Breaking News'.

NDTV's innovative show, 'Spectacular Spas of the World' won the 'Best Lifestyle Show'. The other nominees for this category were 'After Hours', 'Gadget Guru' and 'Just Books'.

UNI