BAFTA expands voting access for international TV category, embracing global viewership

In a move that reflects the increasingly global nature of television, BAFTA has overhauled its international TV category by allowing all 6,000 voting members to decide the nominees and winners. The organization announced the change as part of a broader commitment to increased member engagement and international inclusion.

“We’ve opened up the international category to voting members as part of our commitment to greater member engagement across the TV Awards and in recognition of our global membership,” BAFTA said. “We believe this change will strengthen the category and ensure the very best international programmes get the recognition they deserve,” it added.

The update marks a significant shift in how international programming will be judged, reinforcing the awards body’s recognition of its expanding global footprint. The international category has produced notable winners in recent years, including Netflix France’s Class Act in 2024, which edged out The Bear, Beef, and Succession, and Disney+’s Shōgun in the previous year.

Alongside this voting reform, BAFTA has also introduced a new eligibility rule to better accommodate the collaborative nature of modern television production. For submissions featuring at least five candidates, the organization will now allow one exemption for a senior team member who may not be UK-eligible—provided that 80% of the team meets UK eligibility and a strong case is presented for the exemption.

“This reflects how our industry works today, while maintaining our commitment to celebrating UK talent and craft,” BAFTA noted, pointing to the rising number of international co-productions submitted in recent years.

The shake-up comes after American streamers made significant gains at last year’s BAFTA TV Awards, with titles like Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses, and Rivals collecting key wins. Still, it was also a strong night for British public service broadcasting, with shows like Mr Loverman and Mr Bates vs the Post Office earning major recognition.

BAFTA has now officially opened entries for the 2026 TV Awards, with nominations set to be revealed in March next year. The craft awards ceremony is scheduled for April 26, followed by the main event on 10 May.

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