The Chair of the IAWTV – the group billed as presenting the Streamy awards – has apologised for the event held on Sunday.  He has also cast doubt as to if the event will automatically run next year.  We covered the Streamys event, and described it as a failure – the quoted the host’s “train wreck” quip, and it is difficult to argue with that assessment.

The International Academy of Web Television, an independent organization of “digital entertainment leaders”, was founded in 2008 to promote and “recognize artistic excellence and technological innovation in the Web television and digital entertainment industries”.  Or in other words, they exist to promote web series as a mature platform worthy of commercial investment, and a way to celebrate story tellers and creative talent.

Unfortunately Sunday’s event — sponsored by Kodak, IKEA and Trident amongst others — included skits about women body parts, a fake porn producer award, streakers and what looked like an on stage assault during one award presentation.  Justine Ezarik (nominee “iJustine”) says “One of the biggest hurdles in online video is getting brands to trust the content they are advertising against. Now, they can’t even trust a show ABOUT online video!”

“Last night was supposed to be a celebration of excellence in the digital entertainment community – another big step forward for all of us and our industry. Instead, our industry was reduced to a series of tasteless and crude ‘bits’. Last night in the end was a step backwards for all of us” said Michael Wayne, the chair of the board of directors for IAMTV.

The event was estimated to attract 750,000 views online, however judging by the audience in the theatre – many of whom left before the event finished – this number may have been considerably less.  Online viewing was also hampered by technical issues:  microphones were sometimes inaudible and sound levels varied across clips to stage microphones.

Wayne continued, “While the IAWTV does not have direct oversight of the content of the Streamy Awards, it should and will moving forward.”  The 2010 show was produced by Tubefilter – we have reached out to both Tubefilter and the IAMTV to clarify who is producing the event next year. Update: The IAWTV say “If the Streamy Awards take place next year, we will approve the show’s producers, vision, practices and its content in advance.”

Question remains about sponsor reaction and if corporate investors in digital media like Sony will want to be involved next year.  We reached out for comment from various parties, each of which declined to comment at this time.  Michael Wayne says he takes full responsibility for what took place, and that they will “make sure this never happens again”.