June 27, 2008 – On June 24, Frank Hurt, producer and director ESPN2's "Big Game Fishing the World," (BGFW) was honored with two Telly Awards in the categories of Cable TV Sports Program and Use of High Definition.
BGFW is the longest-running offshore big game fishing television show on ESPN. The weekly episodes highlight exotic destinations and all the aspects of big game fishing. How to, where to and when to have been the recipe for success and have been fascinating ESPN viewers both nationally and internationally for over 16 years.
Hurt, of Mountain Video Associates on St. Thomas, has been producing and directing his own TV programming for over 25 years and has worked with Norm Isaacs, the host of BGFW, for over 10 years. But the 2007/2008 season is the first year he has headed the production team for BGFW and the first year the show has been produced in HD (high definition).
Along with his partner, Christine Lauterborn, he also won a Telly Award in 1995 for "Island Insight," a St. Thomas-St. John cable TV program that aired for 10 years. Residents of St. Thomas since 1974, they raised the standard for local TV programming beginning in 1985, after pioneering tourist information TV programming in Colorado in the early 1980s.
"Over the years I've continued a commitment to include the most compelling content and the highest, uncompromising technical standards in all of my work, whether for my own productions or for that of my clients. It's very gratifying to be honored for my insistence on excellence, especially by my peers in the television industry," said Hurt.
Two episodes of this season's programming were taped on St. Thomas. Reruns on ESPN2 will begin in October.
The winners of the 29th Annual Telly Awards were chosen from 13,500 entries from all 50 states and 30 countries around the world. Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world. This year's winners include companies, agencies and organizations of all sizes, from large multinational media companies to small ad agencies and local production houses. To view the complete list of Telly winners for the 29th annual competition or to find out more about the Tellys, visit www.tellyawards.com.
