For the second year in succession, RTÉ Radio has been named Broadcaster of the Year at the 2012 New York Festivals Awards.
In 2011, RTÉ became the first Irish broadcaster in the Awards' history to win this honour for world's best radio station, and the 2012 win was one of 26 by RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ lyric fm.
RTÉ's awards included 13 for programmes in RTÉ Radio 1's Documentary on One series; three for Drama on One; two for the station's Curious Ear series and one for the Athena Media-produced series Death of an Empire.
RTÉ lyric fm received six individual awards for programmes, including a silver medal for Piano Keys, an educational podcast series that saw Professor Réamonn Keary, in conversation with Liz Nolan, guide music students through the 2012 Royal Irish Academy of Music Local Centre Piano Examinations.
Commenting, Clare Duignan, Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, said: "It's true to say that, as a people, we have always taken particular delight in recognition from across the waters, be it the Atlantic Ocean or the Irish Sea. And so with this award. To be named Broadcaster of the Year in this awesome international context – among world-renowned peers like the BBC and American Public Media – is important not just for RTÉ, but for Ireland.
"The individual wins, on Radio 1 and lyric, across documentary, drama and music, are to be celebrated in themselves. The overall award points to, in my view, RTÉ Radio's excellence not simply on FM, but to the strength and accessibility of our online international presence on sites for Documentary on One, Drama on One and, of course, the new RTÉ Radio Player.
"As broadcasters, we're only as good as our latest programmes, and these latest programmes are now award winners on the international stage. It's a timely reminder of the value, relevance and quality of programming across RTÉ Radio. My thanks to New York Festivals. And my congratulations to the producers, editors and staff in RTÉ Radio who work with such dedication, and for whom being best in the world is a daily goal."
Gold Awards
1) RTÉ Radio 1 Death of an Empire - RTÉ Radio 1/Athena Media (History)
2) RTÉ Radio 1 The Curious Ear - Conversations in the Dark (Best Sound)
3) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - My Dad's Depression (Best Documentary)
4) RTÉ Radio 1 The Curious Ear - Because You Can't Smell Someone on Skype (Human Relations)
Silver
1) RTÉ lyric fm Piano Keys educational podcasts (Education)
2) RTÉ Radio 1 Drama on One - The House on Shareni Street (Best Regularly Scheduled Drama Program)
3) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - Skelligs Calling (Best Sound)
4) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - The Royal Irish (National or International Affairs)
5) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - Victim No. 0001 (Religious Programs)
6) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - Three Rivers, One Summer (Sports & Recreation)
Bronze
1) RTÉ Radio 1 Drama on One - The Big Picture (Best Writing)
2) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - The Reindeer Santa Left Behind (Best Children/Young Adult Program)
3) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - This is it, Kiddo (Health/Medical)
4) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - A Bullet for the General (History)
5) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - Logan Way - The Story of the Bulgers (Human Relations)
Finalist Certificates
1) RTÉ lyric fm Gloria (Best Classical Format)
2) RTÉ lyric fm Jazz Alley - Louis Armstrong Pops is Tops! (Best Jazz Format)
3) RTÉ lyric fm The John Kelly Ensemble - Reich WTC 9/11 (Best Special Event)
4) RTÉ lyric fm The Lyric Feature - Sunlight and Shadow (Culture & The Arts)
5) RTÉ lyric fm Childsplay (Human Relations)
6) RTÉ Radio 1 Drama on One - No Worst There Is None (Best Drama Special)
7) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - Maurice - A Final Journey (Editorial or Viewpoint Program)
8) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - Sound Matters (Educational)
9) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - My Bar Mitzvah in the Holy Land (Religious Programs)
10) RTÉ Radio 1 Documentary on One - The Cocaine Diaries (Social Issues/Current Events)
