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Sky Arts Revives South Bank Show & Awards

Having been cancelled by ITV after 33 years of broadcast, Sky Arts have today announced that 2011 will see the revival of both The South Bank Show and The South Bank Show Awards fronted by Melvyn Bragg. The South Bank Show, which ceased broadcasting in December 2009, will relaunch with a series of documentaries profiling nominees in the wake of the awards.

The 'final' South Bank Show Awards, which were awarded earlier this year inspite of the show's cancellation, honoured the Donmar Warehouse's production of A Streetcar Named Desire in its theatre category and David Bintley's E=mc² for Birmingham Royal Ballet in dance (See News, 26 Jan 2010).

Sky Arts suggest Lord Bragg will take up where he left off, both as editor and as "master of ceremonies" of the awards, which are scheduled to take place in early 2011.

Speaking about the revival of both The South Bank Show and its Awards Melvyn Bragg said: "At a crucial time for contemporary arts in Britain, it is essential to continue to celebrate and examine them on television."

Commenting on having brought Lord Bragg to Sky Arts its director John Cassy added, "He’s bursting with ideas about how he can work with Sky to make these amazing awards an even bigger and better celebration of all that’s great in British culture."

Other categories covered in the South Bank Show Awards are: Pop, Film, Comedy, TV Drama, Classical Music, Visual Arts and Literature. An un-shortlisted award for Outstanding Achievement is announced on the day.

- by Andrew Girvan

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