Broadcast Excellence Awards

Order your duplicate awards today.  Deadline for 2013 orders is Friday, May 31.
Click here to download the duplicate awards order form.

The Online Entry Deadline has passed. Thank you to all you entered! Winners will be announced in February. Contact awards@michmab.com with questions.

......... Underwritten by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation .........

in partnership with:

2012 BEA Divisions:

2012 BEA Rules:

1. This competition is open to all commercial stations, public stations and statewide broadcasting networks based in Michigan. Commercial stations may only enter in the Commercial categories and Statewide Broadcasting Networks are eligible to enter in all Commercial categories and only category #7 “Special Interest & Cultural Programming” from the Public categories. Only stations receiving Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding may enter in the Public categories. Public stations are defined as a station licensed to operate as a non-commercial broadcasting station with primary studios and FCC authorized broadcast operations in Michigan and in partnership with another entity or itself meeting the then applicable minimum qualifications established by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for Community Service Grants, as adjusted from time to time.

2. To enter in the Statewide Broadcasting Networks divisions, entrants must be a Michigan-based producer of network and syndicated programming. Entry must be aired on Michigan licensed broadcast stations. 

3. Statewide broadcasting networks are not eligible for Station of the Year. 

4. All entries must have been produced and broadcast during the 2012 calendar year from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

5. Entries must have been created, produced and aired by the entrant’s station. Awards are given to an individual station, not to individual talent. All entrants must identify themselves by using one set of station call letters unless the group of call letters are COMPLETELY simulcast.  

6. Entries are limited to three (3) per station in each category with the exception of the Commercial Television Community Involvement and the Commercial Radio Community Involvement categories which are limited to one (1) and the Commercial Television News Reporter and Commercial Television Photojournalist categories which are limited to five (5). 

7. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED USING THE ONLINE ENTRY SYSTEM. HARD COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

8. !!!NEW!!! All entries must first be uploaded to one of the four approved external hosting sites listed below before they can be submitted to the online entry system. NOTE: additional fees and restrictions may apply to outside sites, please see each site for details.  

 • http://www.YouTube.com 

 • http://vimeo.com 

 • http://kiwi6.com 

 • http://tindeck.com

9. !!!NEW!!! For ALL entries submitted, the station must also submit a :30 second, high resolution clip that can be used during the awards ceremony, should your entry win best in category.  Clips will be submitted via an FTP site under password protection.  Upon the creation of your account, you will be emailed an access code for the FTP site to upload your clips.  All corresponding clips must be labeled the same as your entry title.

10. !!!NEW!!! No entry may exceed more than one (1) hour in length unless otherwise specified.

11. All requested information must be complete in order to qualify.

12. Entry fees are $42 per entry for MAB, MAPB and Associate members; Non-member rate is $80 per entry. Online payments must be made before the close of the online entry system at 11:59 PM, January 14, 2013.  If paying by check, please send an email indicating your intention to pay by check and the amount that will be paid.  Check payments must be received no later than the close of business on January 21, 2013 or the entries will not be submitted for judging.  All fees for each station may be paid in one or multiple transactions.

13. Entries must be submitted online by Monday, January 14, 2013 by 11:59 p.m.

14. Finalists will be notified by Mid-February. Winners, including the Stations of the Year, will be announced at the Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference and Expo, Wednesday, March 13, 2013 during a special Broadcast Excellence Awards Presentation.

15. All entries must be produced by the station or network. Entries may not be produced with outside advertising or production agency equipment, assistance or direction (excluding the Public Television, Independent Producer category). Public entries must be at least 51% locally produced. Public programs distributed throughout the state may be entered by the originating station only.

16. Entries without payment and/or incomplete entry information will be disqualified. 

17. Commercial Station of the Year Awards: Points for Station of the Year will be calculated as follows: Best Award = 10 points; Merit Award = 5 points; and 10 additional points per winning entry will be awarded in the weighted categories. TV Weighted Categories: Investigative Story, Weathercast, Sports, Newscast, and Community Involvement. Radio Weighted Categories: Newscast, Commercial, Marketing Materials and Promos, Personality, and Community Involvement. The Station of the Year award points will be calculated and verified by an independent accounting firm. In the event of a tie, the station with the most Best awards will be awarded Station of the Year. If a tie still remains, the station who placed Best in the Community Involvement category will be awarded Station of the Year.

18. Public Station of the Year Awards: Points for Station of the Year will be calculated as follows: Best Award = 10 points; Merit Award = 5 points with the exception of the Station of the Year category. For a station to be eligible for Station of the Year they must have entered the Station of the Year category. The winner of the Station of the Year category will receive an additional 60 points to be counted toward Station of the Year. The Station of the Year award points will be calculated and verified by an independent accounting firm. In the event of a tie, the station with the most Best awards will be awarded Station of the Year. If a tie still remains, the station who placed Best in the Community Involvement category will be awarded Station of the Year.

19. In the New Media Division, all commercial and public radio and television stations will compete against each other. Statewide radio and television networks will compete against each other.  The New Media category will be judged independently from any other entries made by the station and will not be counted toward any Station of the Year calculations.

!!!NEW!!! Lansing Commercial Radio Stations NEW MEDIA Entry, Special Instructions:  Due to the unique situation regarding the combined new media competition, Lansing based Commercial Radio Stations will need to contact the MAB for further instructions on how to enter the New Media division, separate from your regular entries.  Email awards@michmab.com for more information.

!!!NEW!!! ALL Public Stations, NEW MEDIA Special Instructions: Due to the unique situation regarding the combined new media competition, all public stations will need to contact the MAB for further instructions on how to enter the New Media Division, separate from your regular entries. Email awards@michmab.com for more information.

20. Judging will be conducted by broadcasting peers outside the state of Michigan using the same online system the MAB uses for entry. 

21. An award will be given in each category unless, in the opinion of the judges, no award is deserved. The decision of the judges is final.

22. Disputes, of any kind, about this program will be reviewed by the MAB Awards Committee.

Questions:

Category Descriptions and Criteria:

New Media

BEST USE OF NEW MEDIA

Based on a station's innovative use of new media including, but not limited to: the Internet, cell phones, MP3 players, social media, email or other new media. Must include up to a five-minute audio or video presentation accompanied by a 500-word maximum essay.

Commercial Radio Categories

1. BREAKING NEWS STORY

A single report or series of reports on a breaking or “unplanned” news event (including storm coverage) under media deadline. Criteria: manner in which the news organization responded, presentation of facts, delivery, follow-ups and news elements uncovered.

2. INVESTIGATIVE STORY

Coverage of a significant event affecting the community. May be an investigative or enterprise story. Criteria: significance, presentation of facts, thoroughness and delivery.

3. FEATURE PROGRAMMING

A series of reports on a single topic which may be a public affairs program featuring issues of interest to Michigan citizens of all ages (may be children’s programming, recreation, sports, special performances, parades, concerts, etc.) at local and state levels. Criteria: production, relevancy and creativity.

4. FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM

A single report which may have aired in a newscast as relief or contrast to serious reporting or a long form program. Criteria: human interest, subject portrayal, creative writing, entertainment value, effective use of the audio medium, control of the medium, natural sound and editing.

5. MORNING SHOW BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM

Best on-air morning broadcast personality or broadcast team. Maximum length of spot is five minutes. Criteria: production, effectiveness and creativity.

6. REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKDAY BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM

Best regularly scheduled on-air weekday broadcast personality or broadcast team. Maximum length of spot is five minutes. Criteria: production, effectiveness and creativity.

7. REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKEND BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM

Best regularly scheduled on-air weekend broadcast personality or broadcast team. Maximum length of spot is five minutes. Criteria: production, effectiveness and creativity.

8. SPECIAL SHOW BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM

Best on-air special broadcast personality or broadcast team. Maximum length of spot is five minutes. Criteria: production, effectiveness and creativity.

9. SPORTS

Best locally originated, regularly scheduled sportscast. Criteria: presentation, production values and interest of stories presented.

10. PLAY-BY-PLAY SPORTS

Best locally originated play-by-play live sports coverage. Criteria: presentation and production values.

11. NEWSCAST

Best locally originated newscast. Criteria: presentation, production values, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the newscast.

12. COMMERCIAL

A single commercial. May be any commercial announcement written and produced by station personnel. May not include announcements produced with outside advertising or production agency assistance or directions. Maximum length of spot - no more than one minute. Criteria: creativity, effectiveness and production.



13. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

A compilation audio file with 3-5 events. May be any public service announcements locally produced by the station, a public service activity coordinated by the station or any form of gratis community outreach which is a public service of the station to serve its local community. Entry must include a 200 word explanation of events. Stations may include video/audio reel summarizing events that is no longer than 5 minutes in length. One entry will be allowed per station. Criteria: production, creativity and community impact.



14. MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOSPromotion of your station or a promotional announcement for a program your station produces and airs. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. May be single announcement or series. Criteria: creativity, effectiveness and production.

Commercial Television Categories

1. BREAKING NEWS STORY

A single report, or series of reports, on a breaking or “unplanned” news event (including storm coverage) under media deadline. Criteria: manner in which the news organization responded, presentation of facts, delivery, follow-ups and news elements uncovered.

2. INVESTIGATIVE STORY

Coverage of a significant event affecting the community. May be an investigative or enterprise story. Criteria: significance, presentation or facts, thoroughness and delivery.

3. MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES

Series of reports on a single topic which may be included in a regularly scheduled newscast. Criteria: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensive, thoroughness of research and production values.

4. FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM

A single report which may have aired in a newscast as relief or contrast to serious reporting or a long form program. Criteria: human interest, subject portrayal, creative writing, entertainment value, effective use of audio, video and editing medium.

5. WEATHERCAST

A locally originated, regularly scheduled weather broadcast. Criteria: clear presentation of facts, delivery/communication skills and effective use of available technology to enhance audience understanding.

6. SPORTS

Best locally originated, regularly scheduled sportscast, play-by-play or live sports coverage. Criteria: presentation, production values and interest of stories presented.

7. NEWSCAST

Best locally originated newscast. Criteria: presentation, production values, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the newscast.

8. NEWS SPECIAL

single, self-contained report or program which aired separately from a regularly scheduled newscast and is at least 30 minutes in length. Criteria: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensiveness, thoroughness of research and production values.

9. SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMMING

Public affairs program featuring issues of interest to Michigan citizens of all ages (may be children’s programming, recreation, sports, special performances, parades, concerts, etc.) at local and state levels. Criteria: locally produced, presentation, production and comprehensiveness.

10. COMMERCIAL

A single commercial. May be any commercial announcement written and produced by station personnel. May not include announcements produced with outside advertising or production agency assistance or directions. Maximum length of spot - no more than one minute. Criteria: creativity, effectiveness and production.

11. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

A compilation clip with 3-5 events. May be any public service announcement locally produced by the station, a public service activity coordinated by the station or any form of gratis community outreach which is a public service of the station to serve its local community. Entry must include a maximum 200 word explanation of events. Stations may include video/audio reel summarizing events that are no longer than 5 minutes in length. One entry will be allowed per station. Criteria: production, creativity and community impact.

12. MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOS

Promotion of your station or a promotional announcement for a program your station produces and airs. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. May be single announcement or series. Criteria: creativity, effectiveness and production.

13. NEWS REPORTER

A compilation clip of 3-5 events highlighting applicant. Maximum of five minutes in length. Each station is allowed to enter up to five candidates. Criteria: writing, story approach, on-air presence and delivery

14. PHOTOJOURNALIST

A compilation clip of 3-5 events showing applicant’s best work. Maximum of five minutes in length. Each station is allowed to enter up to five candidates. Criteria: creativity, continuity and technical production.

Public Radio Categories

1. HARD NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS STORY

Coverage of a significant event affecting the community. May be an investigative or enterprise story. Criteria: significance, presentation of facts, thoroughness and delivery.

2. MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES

Series of reports on a single topic which may be included in a regularly scheduled news program. Criteria: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensiveness, thoroughness of research and production values.

3. FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM

A single report which may have aired in a news program as relief or contrast to serious reporting or a long form program. Criteria: human interest, subject portrayal, creative writing, entertainment value, effective use of the audio medium, control of the medium, natural sound and editing.

4. MUSICAL PROGRAMMING

Best locally originated, regularly produced musical programming. Criteria: presentation, entertainment value, creativity and enrichment.

5. NEWSCAST

Best locally originated newscast. Criteria: presentation, production values, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the newscast.

6. NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM

A single, self-contained report or program which aired separately from a regularly scheduled news program and is at least 30 minutes in length. Criteria: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensiveness, thoroughness of research and production values.

7. SPECIAL INTEREST AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING

Public affairs program featuring issues of interest to Michigan citizens of all ages (may be children’s programming, recreation, sports, special performances, parades, concerts, etc.) at local and state levels. Criteria: locally produced, presentation, production and comprehensiveness.

8. MEMBERSHIP APPEAL

A live or pre-produced pitch or spot which is engaging and moves listeners to action. Criteria: should be unique, entertaining and creative.

9. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

May be any public service announcement locally produced by the station, a public service activity coordinated by the station or any form of gratis community outreach which is a public service of the station to serve its local community. Submit file and any substantiating material. Entry must include an explanation of events.

10. MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOS

Promotion of your station or a promotional announcement for a program or event your station produces and airs. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. May be single announcement or series.

11. STATION OF THE YEAR

A 1,000 word maximum essay explaining why the station is deserving of the station of the year award. Must include at least three testimonials or letters of support from station partners, sponsors and/or affiliates. A station MUST enter this category to be considered for station of the year.

Public Television Categories

1. SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMMING

Public affiars program featuring issues of interest to Michigan citizens of all ages (may be children's programming, parades etc.) at local and state levels. Criteria: presentation, production, comprehensiveness and enrichment.

2. MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES

Series of reports on a single topic which may be included in a regularly scheduled news or public affairs program. Criteria: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensive, thoroughness of research and production values.

3. CULTURAL & PERFORMING ARTS

A single program or series primarily featuring performances. May include no more than three excerpts from a series. Criteria: subject portrayal, entertainment value and effective use of audio, video and editing medium.

4. SPORTS, OUTDOOR OR RECREATION

Best locally originated outdoor or recreation program, series or live sports coverage. Criteria: presentation, production values and interest of stories presented.

5. NEWS OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIAL

Best locally originated news or public affairs program or series. Criteria: presentation, production values, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the program.

6. CULTURAL PROGRAMMING

A cultural documentary or series that presents the arts or cultures of a community. Criteria: enrichment, thoroughness, production and presentation.

7. MEMBERSHIP APPEAL

A live or pre-produced pitch or spot which is engaging and moves listeners to action. Criteria: should be unique, entertaining and creative.

8. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

May be any public service announcement locally produced by the station, or a public service activity coordinated by the station or any form of gratis community outreach which is a public service of the station to serve its local community. Submit file and any substantiating material. Entry must include an explanation of events.

9. MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOS

Promotion of your station or a promotional announcement for a program or event your station produces and airs. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. May be single announcement or series.

10. NEWS SPECIAL OR DOCUMENTARY

A single, self-contained report or program which is at least 30 minutes in length. Criteria: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensiveness, thoroughness of research and production values.

11. INDEPENDENT PRODUCER

May only be entered by a Public Television Station. An independantly produced program or series that must have aired on the sponsoring public station. Criteria: presentation, production, thoroughness and enrichment.

12. STATION OF THE YEAR

A 1,000 word maximum essay explaining why the station is deserving of the station of the year award. Must include at least three testimonials or letters of support from station partners, sponsors and/or affiliates. A station MUST enter this category to be considered for station of the year.

Network Categories

Network categories are the same as the commercial categories.