The award recognises the power of dramatising real-life stories to bring about change

ITV has been honoured with the BAFTA Television Special Award for its commissioning of Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

The gong recognises the potential power of dramatising real-life stories on public service television, with a significant impact that can bring about societal change.

The drama has garnered a collective audience of around 15 million viewers so far, making it one of the channel’s biggest scripted shows in 20 years. Within three weeks of the broadcast, questions were being asked in Parliament, with a bill fast-tracked through parliament to quash most of the convictions involving the Horizon IT faulty computer system.

Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV’s media and entertainment division, said: ”This award is a real honour. ITV has a proud tradition of covering important stories like this through drama, and bringing them to the widest audiences. We all knew this was an important story that needed to be told, but we never could have anticipated the scale of what came next.

“The public reaction showed how very British stories of human injustice can unite all walks of life, and affect real world change. Huge credit is due to the team who made it, and all the people who entrusted us with their story.”

Polly Hill, director of drama, ITV, added: “I would like to thank BAFTA for this amazing recognition for ITV. Commissioning Mr Bates was without doubt the proudest moment of my career and has shown us the power a story can have on the nation.

“We wouldn’t have achieved the impact we did if everyone involved in this show hadn’t made a brilliant drama. This acknowledgment is also theirs. I’d also like to thank Sir Alan Bates and all the sub postmasters who trusted us to tell their story. Everyone involved in the drama wanted their story to be heard and we are glad the drama did that, but justice won’t be done until they are all paid what they are owed. In this moment though we will enjoy the recognition for ITV and remember the power drama can have.”

Hilary Rosen, BAFTA television committee chair, remarked: “This is public service television at its best and shows the power of television to change hearts and minds. In a climate where the cost and risk of making UK-specific dramas that have limited international appeal is becoming increasingly challenging, this Special Award champions ITV’s brave commission and honours the social and public impact television can have. As Mr Bates vs the Post Office has proved, audiences want and need to hear these important British stories.”

Previous BAFTA Television Special Award recipients include Lorraine Kelly, David Olusoga, Idris Elba, John Motson, Henry Normal, Nick Fraser, Sir Lenny Henry, Cilla Black, Clare Balding, Simon Cowell, Coronation Street, BBC, and ITN.