'Doctor Who' and 'Sherlock' will go head to head for two prizes at the National Television Awards this month.
The shows - both created by writer and producer Steven Moffatt - will challenge for best drama, while stars Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch are in the running for best male actor.
'Doctor Who' is up for a third award as former assistant Karen Gillan, who bowed out as Amy Pond last year, is nominated for the best actress prize.
Benedict Cumberbatch with Doctor Who and Sherlock creator Steven Moffat
She competes against comedy star Miranda Hart for her role in 'Call The Midwife', Suranne Jones for 'Scott And Bailey' and Sheridan Smith for 'Mrs Biggs'.
'Sherlock' and 'Doctor Who' line up against ITV's period hit 'Downton Abbey' for the best drama prize, with the category completed by recently-axed fantasy series 'Merlin'.
Colin Morgan, the star of 'Merlin' which wound up last month, is also up for best actor along with Cumberbatch who plays 'Sherlock Holmes' in the updated take on the Conan Doyle mysteries, Smith for his role as the Doctor and Daniel Mays for his performance as Ronnie Biggs in 'Mrs Biggs'.
Downton Abbey is up for best drama
BBC1 singing contest 'The Voice' joins established ratings heavyweights 'Britain's Got Talent', 'Dancing On Ice', 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'The X Factor' in the top talent show shortlist.
'The Great British Bake-Off' makes its debut on the NTA shortlist as it lines up against 'The Apprentice', 'Top Gear' and Paul O'Grady's 'For The Love Of Dogs' for the best factual entertainment prize.
Ant and Dec, who have won the best entertainment prize for 11 consecutive years, could extend their run as they are shortlisted for the title yet again. They will do battle with Alan Carr, Keith Lemon and Dermot O'Leary.
And the Geordie duo are up for a further prize as their show 'I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!' is nominated for the entertainment programme award, against 'Alan Carr: Chatty Man', 'The Graham Norton Show' and 'The Only Way Is Essex'.
Sir David Attenborough's 'Frozen Planet' - which drew criticism when it emerged some scenes were filmed in a zoo rather than the Arctic - is up for best documentary series.
Organisers of the 18th annual event will celebrate the success of the Olympics and Paralympics with a special award and will celebrate favourite moments from the sporting spectacular.
Prizes will be handed out at a star-studded ceremony at London's O2 Arena on January 23.
Viewers will be able to vote for the winners of the awards from today.
:: The full shortlist - published in the new edition of Radio Times, on sale today - is:
:: Drama:
Doctor Who
Downton Abbey
Merlin
Sherlock
:: Drama performance male:
Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock
Daniel Mays - Mrs Biggs
Colin Morgan - Merlin
Matt Smith - Doctor Who
:: Drama performance female:
Karen Gillan - Doctor Who
Miranda Hart - Call the Midwife
Suranne Jones - Scott & Bailey
Sheridan Smith - Mrs Biggs
:: Factual entertainment:
Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs
The Apprentice
The Great British Bake Off
Top Gear
:: Situation comedy:
Absolutely Fabulous
Benidorm
Mrs Brown's Boys
The Big Bang Theory
:: Talent show:
Britain's Got Talent
Dancing on Ice
Strictly Come Dancing
The Voice UK
The X Factor
:: Comedy panel show:
Have I Got News for You
Mock the Week
QI
Would I Lie to You?
:: Entertainment presenter:
Alan Carr
Ant & Dec
Keith Lemon
Dermot O'Leary
:: Entertainment programme:
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
The Graham Norton Show
The Only Way Is Essex
:: Serial drama:
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
:: Serial drama performance:
Alan Halsall - Coronation Street
Michelle Keegan - Coronation Street
Emmett J Scanlan - Hollyoaks
Adam Woodyatt - EastEnders
:: Documentary series:
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings
Frozen Planet
One Born Every Minute
Planet Earth Live
:: Daytime programme:
Come Dine with Me
The Chase
The Jeremy Kyle Show
This Morning
:: Newcomer:
Liam Fox - Emmerdale
Natalie Gumede - Coronation Street
Joseph Thompson - Hollyoaks
David Witts - EastEnders