The BBC secured ten awards at the Royal Television Society NI Awards ceremony held in Belfast on Thursday night, cementing its position as a leading force in Northern Ireland television production. The honours recognised excellence across news, current affairs, documentary and entertainment programming, with recognition spanning both established shows and emerging talent.
According to BBC News, the broadcaster's success reflected the breadth and quality of its output for audiences across Northern Ireland and the wider network. The awards ceremony, held at Titanic Belfast and hosted by Craig Doyle, celebrates the best in television production from the region.
BBC Newsline earned the News Coverage award for its reporting on the Race Riots that occurred in June 2026. The channel's coverage of this significant event demonstrated the importance of trusted, informative journalism during periods of civil unrest.
Current Affairs and Documentary Recognition
Spotlight's investigation into former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson secured the Best Current Affairs award for BBC Northern Ireland. The programme, titled Politician, Predator & Paedophile, examined Donaldson's conviction for a series of child sex offences, including rape, and its implications for the party and the wider political landscape.
The documentary series category went to Peelers: The PSNI For Real, produced by Third Street Studios for BBC Northern Ireland. The series provided unprecedented insight into the realities and challenges of policing in Belfast, offering viewers a window into the daily experiences of PSNI officers.
In the single documentary category, Caitlin Hanna: Trafficked In Belfast by Strident Media also received recognition, highlighting the broadcaster's commitment to investigative storytelling on serious social issues.
Performance and Entertainment Awards
Katherine Devlin won the Actor – Female award for her role in Blue Lights, a Two Cities Television and Gallagher Film production for the BBC. The drama series continued to attract critical acclaim for its portrayal of emergency service workers.
Dearbháile McKinney received the Breakthrough On-Screen award, also for her performance in Blue Lights, marking recognition of emerging talent in the industry.
Ronan Keating's Wild Atlantic, produced by Alleycats TV for the BBC, took the Factual Entertainment category, while Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together by Big Mountain Productions won the Lifestyle & Features award. Queen James by Waddell Media secured the Specialist Factual category, and Katie Richardson's original music score for Crookhaven, produced by BBC Studios, earned recognition in the Original Music Score category.
What Industry Leaders Said
Damien Magee, BBC NI Head of News, emphasised the importance of the broadcaster's mission:
News matters and we work hard to give audiences a service they can trust, that keeps them informed, explains what's happening and makes their voices heard.
Adam Smyth, Director of BBC Northern Ireland, reflected on the broader significance of the awards:
The awards we've received reflect the range and quality of what the BBC does for local and network audiences and the creativity of the teams involved.
Maeve McLoughlin, Chair of RTS NI, praised the region's television industry, describing it as establishing itself as a major global force.
Every finalist is a testament to the originality, dedication and bold storytelling that keeps Northern Ireland on the international radar.
About the Awards
The RTS NI Awards, now in their 11th year, recognise television production by independent producers, broadcasters and freelancers based in Northern Ireland. The event celebrates the creative talent and originality that characterises the region's television sector, from established broadcasters to emerging independent production companies.
Key Facts
- The BBC won ten awards across news, current affairs, documentary, drama and entertainment categories
- BBC Newsline's coverage of the June 2026 Race Riots earned the News Coverage award
- Peelers: The PSNI For Real won the documentary series category, showcasing policing challenges in Belfast
- The ceremony took place at Titanic Belfast on Thursday night and was hosted by Craig Doyle
- The awards recognise television production talent across Northern Ireland's independent and broadcast sectors
