New York - Britain won six awards at the International Emmy Awards, including a Founders Award for legendary television presenter Sir David Frost late Monday night in a star-studded ceremony in New York. Denmark won the drama series category for The Protectors, while Short Shorts from Japan was named best comedy. The Netherlands won the non-scripted category with The Phone, while the mini-series award went to Germany's The Wolves of Berlin.
Markus Schachter, director general of Germany's national public television channel, ZDF, was honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award.
Brazil won its first ever International Emmy award for the telenovela, India - A Love Story.
Ben Whishaw won the best actor award for his role as accused murderer Ben Coulter in Criminal Justice, while Julie Walters was named best actress for playing Dr Anne Turner in the assisted suicide drama A Short Stay in Switzerland.
Dustbin Baby won the award in the children's and young people category, while The Mona Lisa Curse won for arts programming and The Ascent of Money won in the documentary category.
"We congratulate tonight's winners for their outstanding achievements," said International Emmy Academy president and CEO Bruce Paisner. "All the nominated programs and performances are a true inspiration for all of us in the industry and for audiences worldwide."
The awards, regarded as among the most prestigious on the world television scene, took place at the New York Hilton and were hosted by British TV presenter and comedian Graham Norton. Nominees came from 16 countries, including a first ever nod for a TV show from Thailand, and presenters included US interview veteran Barbara Walters, former secretary of state Henry Kissinger andmusician Moby.