PBS Travel Show ‘Beyond Your Backyard’ Wins Two 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Program and Host Categories

Hosted by ‘Erik the Travel Guy,’ the program garners industry recognition in its first season

NEW YORK — The nationally syndicated travel program “Beyond Your Backyard,” from Blue Ridge Public Broadcasting Service, has received two 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards in the Program and Host/Moderator categories. After completing just one season, the show — which educates viewers on the local history, culture and cuisine of North American destinations — was recognized for its high-quality writing, editing and programming.

“Beyond Your Backyard” garnered an Emmy in the Program/Special Category for its season one episode shot in Key West, Florida. The award recognized “Erik the Travel Guy” Hastings, host and creator of the program, and Harry Watson, Jacob Dellinger and Kevin Allen, executive producers. Hastings received an Emmy Award in the Program Host/Moderator Category.

“It’s such an honor for the team to be recognized by our television industry colleagues in only our first season,” said Hastings. “The success of this show is a testament to our efforts in writing, producing, editing and distributing a show that has grown to be seen by millions of viewers. We’re excited to see what’s on the horizon for the show as we’ve already entered into production of season three.”

“Beyond Your Backyard,” is a half-hour educational travel adventure show nationally syndicated on PBS and the CREATE Network that is seen on 328 broadcast channels in 161 markets in 48 states across the United States. The program can also be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Millions of viewers watch each week as presenter “Erik the Travel Guy” reveals the “soul” of a destination, digging deep to explore every aspect of a destination.

The 61st Emmy Awards winners were announced Saturday, J une 22, which was organized by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – the second-largest chapter in t he nation. The awards ceremony recognized excellence in television in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia .