How to Bet on the 2025 National Television Awards

The National Television Awards (NTAs) represent one of the biggest nights in the British television calendar. It’s an evening filled with red-carpet glamor, emotional acceptance speeches, exclusive performances, and the crowning of the nation’s favorite shows and stars. Uniquely, the NTAs are voted for entirely by the public, making them a true reflection of popular taste. For many fans, adding a small wager on the outcome adds an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. If you’re considering betting on the 2025 NTAs, this guide will walk you through how to get involved.

Understanding the National Television Awards

Established in 1995, the NTAs have become a staple event, typically broadcast live on ITV. The 2025 ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, at The O2 arena in London. The key characteristic distinguishing the NTAs from other awards like the BAFTAs is the public vote. This means popularity, social media campaigns, and viewer loyalty often play a more significant role than critical acclaim when predicting winners. Categories typically cover a wide range of genres, including Drama, Comedy, Talent Show, Factual Entertainment, and the much-discussed TV Presenter award.

Is Betting on the NTAs Possible?

Yes, betting on the National Television Awards is possible and usually falls under the category of “Specials,” “Novelty,” or “TV & Entertainment” betting markets. While not as extensive as sports betting, bookmakers recognize the public interest in major cultural events like the NTAs and provide odds accordingly.

Markets typically open after the official shortlist of nominees is released. Odds may fluctuate as the ceremony approaches, influenced by public discussion, media coverage, and betting patterns.

Types of Bets Available

The most common type of bet for the NTAs is an outright winner bet for specific categories. You simply select who or which show you think will win a particular award, such as:

• Best New Drama
• Best Comedy
• Best Drama Performance
• Best TV Presenter
• Best Talent Show
• Best Serial Drama (Soaps)

Bookmakers typically offer odds on the main categories, though the exact selection can vary.

Strategies and Factors to Consider

Betting on the NTAs requires a different approach than sports betting. Here are some key factors:

• Public Vote is King: This cannot be overstated. Consider which shows and personalities genuinely connect with the broad viewing public. Critical darlings don’t always win here; popularity is paramount.
• Social Media Buzz: Monitor fan campaigns and discussions online. Strong social media movements can significantly influence the public vote.
• Past Performance: Some shows or presenters have historically dominated certain categories (Ant & Dec’s long reign in the Best Presenter category is a prime example). While streaks can be broken, past success is a strong indicator.
• Narrative and Sentiment: Is there a strong public story or feeling around a particular show or nominee? For example, a beloved show ending its run or a program that tackled a significant social issue (like Mr Bates vs The Post Office in 2024) can garner strong public support.
• Study the Competition: Analyze the strength of the nominees within a category. Is there a clear frontrunner, or is it a wide-open race?
• Understand the Odds: Odds reflect the bookmaker’s assessment of probability (and betting patterns). Very short odds (e.g., 1/5) indicate a strong favorite, while long odds (e.g., 10/1) suggest an outsider. Look for “value” where you believe the odds offered are better than the nominee’s actual chance of winning.

2024 Winners and Looking Ahead

The drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office had a triumphant night, securing the award for Best New Drama and the prestigious Impact Award. Its lead actor, Toby Jones, also won for Drama Performance.

In the highly anticipated TV Presenter category, Ant & Dec continued their unprecedented streak, winning for the 23rd consecutive year.

Other notable winners included Strictly Come Dancing for Best Talent Show and Bridgerton for Returning Drama. Emmerdale took home the award for Best Serial Drama, while Peter Ash from Coronation Street won the Serial Drama Performance award for his portrayal of Paul Foreman’s motor neuron disease storyline.

Reality Competition saw The Traitors emerge victorious, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! won the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.

Predicting the 2025 NTA winners is tricky this far out, but some patterns might continue. Ant & Dec remain strong contenders for Best Presenter, though viewer fatigue could eventually play a role. Expect returning favorites like Strictly Come Dancing or The Traitors to be competitive in their categories.

Betting on the 2025 National Television Awards can add an extra layer of engagement to TV’s biggest night. By understanding how the awards work (especially the public vote), researching the nominees, and finding the best odds, you can enhance your enjoyment of the ceremony.