BBC wins Royal Television Society NI awards

BBC News NI's interim head of news (right) commended the hard work of his team

The BBC has won a number of awards at the Royal Television Society NI Awards in Belfast on Tuesday night.

BBC Newsline won the News Coverage award for its "outstanding coverage under pressure" of the race riots in June 2025.

Spotlight's I Am Not Okay programme about mothers struggling to cope with their autistic sons' aggressive outbursts won the Best Current Affairs award for BBC Northern Ireland.

"These awards are evidence of our continued commitment to bringing quality journalism to our audiences in Northern Ireland, and it is a real testament to the hard work of our team," BBC News NI's interim head of news, Damien Magee, said.

BBC NI Spotlight's I Am Not Okay documentary was presented by Tara Mills

Commenting on the race riots, the judges said: "The Newsline team delivered consistently across the week on this story, balancing the voice of the immigrant community by looking at the changes in the social issues affecting the riots, including some brave soundbites in these interviews and excellent live questioning in the studio."

And on Spotlight's I Am Not Okay programme the judges said: "It was rare to see something so difficult to watch which was so beautifully filmed and sensitively told featuring four remarkable stories."

The event, at Titanic Belfast, recognises the best in Northern Ireland television.

This year's host was Christine Lampard.

In its 10th year, the awards are supported by BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, Channel 4, RTÉ, TG4 and headline sponsor Ka-Boom.

Christine Lampard hosted the awards ceremony

Sarah McCaffrey, Chair of the RTS NI said: "This year's outstanding nominees and winners reflect the strength and resilience of Northern Ireland's screen industry.

"The RTS Northern Ireland is proud to continue its unwavering commitment to supporting, educating and championing talent across all areas of the industry - both on screen and behind the scenes."

Full list of winners

Current Affairs: Spotlight: I Am Not Okay - BBC Northern Ireland, Spotlight

News Coverage: BBC Newsline - Northern Ireland Race Riots – BBC Northern Ireland

Actor - Female: Lola Petticrew, Say Nothing - FX Productions/Color Force for Disney+

Actor - Male : Anthony Boyle, Say Nothing - FX Productions/Color Force for Disney+

Breakthrough Award On-screen: Ele McKenzie, Funboys - Mayhay Studios for BBC Three and BBC Northern Ireland

Children's/Animation: Nikhil and Jay, King Banana TV and Paper Owl Films for CBeebies

Comedy: Spinster - Hat Trick Productions (NI) for BBC

Entertainment: The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In - Green Inc Film and TV for RTÉ

Documentary: Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing - Finepoint Films for Paramount+

Documentary – Series: On Drugs - Blair Black Films for BBC Northern Ireland

Drama: Malpractice Series 2 - World Productions for ITV1

Factual Entertainment: At Your Service - Waddell Media for RTÉ

Lifestyle and Features: We Built a Zoo - Waddell Media for BBC Three and BBC Northern Ireland

Original Music Score: Die Hexen, Video Nasty - Deadpan Pictures for BBC and Virgin Media

Post-Production Individual – Craft: David Gray - Editor – David Puttnam – The Long Way Home, Ice Box Films for RTÉ

Specialist Factual: Burkitt - Little Ease Films for TG4

Writer: Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan, Funboys - Mayhay Studios for BBC Three and BBC Northern Ireland

Hidden Hero: Producer Brendan Hughes

Brian Waddell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Industry: Louise Gallagher, Gallagher Films