Last Friday, Mermaid Media Entertainment Ltd announced the nominees for the Malta Television Award in front of a sizable crowd of television personalities, producers and independent companies.

The nominations night, held at the Halland Hotel, Ta' l-Ibrag, was presented by Charles Saliba, who will also be compering the awards night. A total of 122 nominees were announced in 34 categories.

The Malta Television Awards will be held on September 16 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Noelene Miggiani, spokeswoman for Mermaid Media Entertainment, also announced that the 'People's Choice' Award is the only category to be voted for by televiewers for their favourite TV personality.

This award kicks off this week, with specially placed TV spots on TVM, Super 1 and Net TV. The public can vote for their favourite TV personality by sending a text message with the name of their chosen personality on 5061-4198 for Net TV personalities, 5061-4199 for TVM personalities and 50614200 for Super 1 personalities.

The Best Television Station Award will go to the TV station that is represented most by individual award winners on the awards night.

The prestigious Charles Arrigo Lifetime Achievement Award was a definite favourite with the crowd present, but the night definitely belonged to Solitaire which garnered the most nominations - 12, including best director, best original script and best drama.

Net tv's Santa Monika received 10 nominations, including best director, best drama, best opening sequence and best original script. 26th Frame's Il-Lejl it-Tajjeb walked away with four nominations, including best opening sequence, best editing, best director and best documentary.

Tickets for the Malta Television Awards Night are available from the Mediterranean Conference Centre, ticket hotline 9947-1711.