An official release informs that The Family Television Awards are the only awards in which the members of the Association of National Advertisers -- major corporate marketers in the US -- recognise outstanding programming for family viewing. The 44 major US advertisers that participate in the Family Friendly Programming Forum work to encourage the television community to produce more prime-time shows that families can view together.

The 2003 Family Television Award honorees included actress Patricia Heaton for Everybody Loves Raymond. In India the sitcom airs on Star World. In the reality category Fox's music show American Idol was cited. The Indian version is expected to hit our shores shortly.

The release informs that the family programming renaissance in US television began just five years ago. Family fare is quickly becoming a dominant force in primetime. While the producers and talent honoured should be proud of their accomplishments it is the American family that is the real honouree, states the release.