About

8th Annual American Reality Television Awards

Since 2013, The American Reality Television Awards has awarded people in front and behind the cameras in all areas in the world of unscripted television. Network, Cable and Streaming shows and stars are eligible every year and the vote is  worldwide with an average of 2,000,000 votes in all categories. The 8th Annual American Reality Television Awards take place in the Spring of 2021.


Mission Statement

The Reality Television Awards supports, examines and redefines the art of reality in media by rewarding excellence, encouraging experimentation and recognizing that the public is the heart of our industry. We embrace the spirit of fun and camaraderie which is an inherent part of what makes this industry great. We value the rich diversity of programming that puts reality in media on the leading edge of entertainment.

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History

Executive Producers Kristen Moss and Andrew Ward started the Reality Awards in 2012 to support, examine and redefine the art of reality in media by rewarding excellence, encouraging experimentation and recognizing that the public is the heart of our industry. The Reality Television Awards embrace the spirit of fun and camaraderie which is an inherent part of what makes this industry great. The ARTAS value the rich diversity of programming that puts reality on the leading edge of entertainment.

“According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2019 more than 75% of cable TV’s 25 highest rated original series were Non-Fiction shows. We’re excited to give our industry something to celebrate during these uncertain times,” said Moss & Ward.

Winners of note have been Ellen DeGeneres accepting for “Best Game Show” and Steve Harvey for “Best Host” in 2019; Leah Remini, recipient of “Reality Queen” in 2015 and “Best Host” in 2018, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, recipient of “Reality Crossover Talent” in 2016, Gordon Ramsay receiving “Best Host” in 2015 and RuPaul claiming “Best Host” over President Donald Trump in 2016. Deadliest Catch holds the longest winning streak in any single category: “Bad Ass Crew” four years in a row. Abby Lee Miller of Dance Moms has been the recipient of “Best Villain” from 2014-2016 and Pit Bulls and Parolees took “Feel Good Show” the past three years straight.

Constantly expanding and changing, the Reality Television Awards started a Humanitarian Award that eventually birthed the Reality TV Hall of Fame. President Donald Trump was the recipient of the “Humanitarian Award" in 2014 received on his behalf by The Apprentice & Celebrity Big Brother star Omarosa Manigault-Newman. Hall of Fame inductees also include Heidi and Spencer Pratt in 2015 and Janice Dickinson in 2016. It has re-birthed the Hall of Fame recipient in 2020, who will be named soon.

Past Reality Television Awards hosts have been Michelle Visage of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Matt Iseman of American Ninja Warrior, Jonathan Bennett of Cake Wars, and Melissa Peterman of Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition.

Follow the Reality Television Awards on social media at @RealityAwardsTV or trend #TheArtas