Michael Holding and Sky Cricket win awards for their “excellent editorial” coverage of a “momentous moment” as they debate racial inequality and the death of George Floyd
The Sky Sports
Last updated: 16/03/21 8:30 pm
Sky Sports Cricket pundit Michael Holding says institutional racism must end for the good of humanity
Michael Holding has won the Royal Television Society award for Sports Presenter, Reporter or Pundit and Sky Cricket the Best Sports Program award.
For both Holding and Sky Cricket, it was the second prize in a week to receive the Pundit Event Cover and Television / Digital Live awards at the Sports Journalism Association Awards on Monday.
The RTS said Holding kept “the feel of the event perfectly, giving a personal perspective to capture a moment of great importance” when talking about Black Lives Matter after the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota. in May 2020.
Ebony Rainford-Brent, Nasser Hussain and Ian Ward covered the topic in a video and it was broadcast live ahead of the first test match between England and the West Indies in the weeks following Floyd’s death.
RTS judges described the broadcast as an “amazing piece of television – highly editorial and technically unique”.
The Sports Presenter, Reporter or Pundit award goes to @SkySportsEngland’s West Indies correspondent Michael Holding said he “perfectly captured the mood of the event, taking a personal look at a moment of paramount importance” – congratulations! #RTSAwards pic.twitter.com/RNJhjVp6V3
– Royal Television Society (@RTS_media) March 16, 2021
Sky Sports Managing Director Rob Webster said: “It is a very proud night for all of us at Sky Sports to win two RTS Program awards.
“It has been a challenging year. At this time last year we lost live sports due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and our production teams responded to ensure that our successful content continued to be enjoyed by our visitors. Since live sports returned to our channels this summer, our teams have delivered incredible coverage under the harsh backdrop of biosecurity bubbles and social pace measures. These awards are a tribute to the hard work and best efforts.
“I would also like to pay special tribute to Michael Holding who has always been present in our cricket coverage over the years. Last year, along with Ebony Rainford-Brent and Nasser Hussain, he spoke passionately about hate- in the way he dealt with the death of George Floyd in the USA, a time that has affected us all Sky has been at the forefront of discussions on racism, diversity and equality. gender equality and is something we will always be passionate about. “
Bryan Henderson, Sky Sports Cricket Director, said: “I am so proud of the team that delivered this and of course Mikey and Ebony in particular.
“What started as an emotional team meeting talking about a difficult topic turned out to be an amazing day. I hope the voice of Sky Cricket has helped in a very small way to make the world fairer.”
Another racist program won the single documentary, “Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me” on BBC One.
Sky Arts was also a winner for Sky, claiming the Best Live Event award for Third Day, described by the RTS as “an incredible feat, surpassing both his ambition and execution first class ”.