SBS chief football analyst Craig Foster has paid tribute to the hard working colleagues responsible for the coverage that led to a Logie win for most outstanding sports coverage.
SBS presenters Lucy Zelic and Craig Foster accepted the award on behalf of SBS and The World Game’s coverage of the 2018 FIFA Men’s Football World Cup.
Mr Foster praised the team’s tireless work through sleepless nights to cover the month-long event held in Russia.
"For us this award represents around 40 years of covering the beautiful game," he said.
"It’s recognition of everyone in this country who loves football and who has supported SBS over such a long period of time."
He said the team's "immense" passion honoured the legacy of the and Johnny Warren, also singling out the contribution of co-host Lucy Zelic.
"Her name is Lucy Zelic. She became a star during that World Cup and we're extremely proud of her," he said.
Social media erupted with support for host Lucy Zelic during the World Cup after some criticised her correct pronunciation of players' names.
She acknowledged the controversy in her acceptance speech.
"I'm sure for some small sections of the Australian public they will be grateful that there is no real difficult way to pronounce thank you," she said.
"To the colleagues that are here tonight and not in this room I thank you for all the work that you do in allowing us to do what we do, so thank you."
Mr Foster pointed out the team's increased workload following the decision by Optus to allow SBS show more matches on TV following streaming glitches.
"A very small and committed, passionate team [were] expected to do around 50 hours of television and ended up doing around 200 [hours and] around 130 different shows," he said.
"Thank you very much, thank you."
SBS News sport editor Robert Grasso also praised the "amazing team effort" both in Moscow and Australia.
"Les Murray & Johnny Warren would be beaming right now," he said.
Popular SBS Presenter Michael Tomalaris was another to share his excitement about the recognition.
"We did it!!!!" he said in a message posted on Twitter.
"Congratulations to the entire @TheWorldGame and @SBSSport teams."
SBS's coverage was up against Foxtel's coverage of the second cricket Test match between Australia and India, Channel Seven’s Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the ABC's Invictus Games Sydney, and Channel 10's Supercars Championship.
Wheelchair athlete Dylan Alcott, who recently won the French Open, took out the Graham Kennedy award for the most popular new talent.
Channel 10's The Project beat the ABC's 7:30 report, Four Corners, A Current Affairs and 60 minutes to win the most popular current affairs program.
The list of winners on the night included:
Gold Logie: Tom Gleeson (ABC)
Hall of Fame: Kerry O'Brien (ABC)
Graham Kennedy Award for most popular new talent: Dylan Alcott (ABC)
Most outstanding actress: Jenna Coleman (The Cry) (ABC)
Most popular actress: Deborah Mailman (Bite Club/Mystery Road) (ABC)
Most outstanding actor: Scott Ryan (Mr Inbetween) (Foxtel)
Most popular actor: Luke McGregor (Rosehaven) (ABC)
Most outstanding supporting actress: Jacki Weaver (Bloom) (Stan)
Most outstanding supporting actor: Frankie J Holden (A Place To Call Home) (Foxtel)
Most outstanding drama series: Wentworth (Foxtel)
Most popular drama program: Mystery Road (ABC)
Most outstanding mini-series or tele-movie: Bloom (Stan)
Most outstanding entertainment program: Have You Been Paying Attention (Ten)
Most outstanding reality program: Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders (Ten)
Most popular reality program: MasterChef Australia (Ten)
Most popular entertainment program: Gogglebox (Foxtel/Ten)
Most popular presenter: Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia) (ABC)
Most popular lifestyle program: Gardening Australia (ABC)
Most popular comedy program: Have You Been Paying Attention? (Ten)
Most popular panel or current affairs program: The Project (Ten)
Most outstanding news coverage or public affairs report: Coverage Of The Thai Cave Rescue - Four Corners - Out of the Dark (ABC)
Most outstanding factual or documentary program: Ron Iddles: The Good Cop (Foxtel)
Most outstanding sports coverage: 2018 FIFA World Cup (SBS)
Most outstanding children's program: Bluey (ABC)
