The British Academy Television Awards, and the British Academy Television Craft Awards open for applications today, and for the first time web-based broadcasters (VoD channels) are eligible to enter.

“We’re in a golden era for storytelling and programme-making, with top-class shows being broadcast online as well as on digital and terrestrial television; the latest update to our rules ensures we celebrate and reward the very best,” said BAFTA‘s chief executive Amanda Berry in a press release.

The change is one of many made to the rule book for the 2014 awards. Other changes include the broadening of the Comedy category-which becomes Comedy and Comedy Entertainment-encompassing shows where comedy is a central element, including panel shows, chat shows, stand-up comedy and comedy clip shows.

The Entertainment Programme category has also been updated to include all general entertainment shows such as quizzes and game shows, talent shows and music specials. The Situation Comedy category remains unchanged.

“As a genre, comedy entertainment has grown rapidly over the past few years” said BAFTA‘s Television Committee chairman, Andrew Newman. “The new expansion of this category recognises this, allowing for a wider range of programmes to be considered by the academy and ensuring a more lively competition in both the ‘Comedy & Comedy Entertainment Programme’ and the ‘Entertainment Programme’ categories.”

Entry for all categories will close on Friday 3 December. The British Academy Television Craft Awards will be held on Sunday 27 April 2014, and the British Academy Television Awards on Sunday 18 May 2014.

Programmes must have had their first transmission in the UK between 1 January and 31 December 2013 in order to be considered. Self-commissioned and published programmes are not eligible.