2003 Broadcast Excellence Awards

A total 726 entries were received from 30 television and 44 radio stations. All entries aired between January 1 and December 31, 2002. Judges use consistent criteria for evaluating the entries and reserve the right to not give an award. All judges decisions are final. Thanks to the member stations of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for judging.


2003 Stations of the Year
TV Market 1
WJBK-TV 2, Detroit

 Radio Market 1
WJR-AM, Detroit
TV Market 2
WOOD-TV 8, Grand Rapids

 Radio Market 2
WOOD-AM,Grand Rapids
TV Market 3
WWTV/WWUP-TV 9&10, Cadillac

 Radio Market 3
WLEN-FM, Adrian
TV Market 4
WLUC-TV 6, Marquette

 Radio Market 4
WKQS-FM, Marquette
 Public Broadcasting Station of the Year:
WCMU-FM, Mt. Pleasant



Winners of the MAB "Station of the Year" are awarded based on the number of points scored by the station: 12 points for each first place award, 6 points for each merit award, and 13,7 or 0 points for the written summary. One station of the year award may be presented in each market category for radio and television. To be considered for Station of the Year, stations must enter a minimum of five different categories.  If the competition results in a tie, the station with the best finish in Community Involvement Announcement will be declared the winner.

Market Categories: Following are the market categories used for the competition... 

Radio Markets
Market 1 - Detroit Metro Area
Market 2 - Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Flint, Tri-Cities & Lansing.
Market 3 - Traverse City, Cadillac, Jackson, Adrian
Market 4 -Marquette, Escanaba, Alpena and others.


Television Markets
Market 1 - Detroit Metro Area
Market 2 - Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Flint, & Tri-Cities.
Market 3 - Traverse City, Cadillac, Jackson, Adrian & Lansing
Market 4 - Marquette, Escanaba, Alpena and others.

Rules & Categories: Click here for rules, category descriptions and more information
on the MAB Broadcast Excellence Awards.


Winners of the 2003 Broadcast Excellence Awards:

Category Market Place Station Title
Breaking News TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV Officers Under Attack
Breaking News TV Market 1 Merit WXYZ-TV School Bus Accident
Breaking News Radio Market 1 Best WJR-AM Cop Shot / Murder Solved
Breaking News Radio Market 1 Merit WWJ-AM I-94 Cop Shooting
Breaking News TV Market 2 Best WZZM-TV Haviland Acid Leak
Breaking News TV Market 2 Merit WOOD-TV Gas Leak/Downtown Evacuation
Breaking News Radio Market 2 Best WOOD-AM "Chemical Emergency in Grand Rapids"
Breaking News Radio Market 2 Merit No Award Given  
Breaking News TV Market 3 Best WILX-TV Williams Fired
Breaking News TV Market 3 Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Courthouse Shooting
Breaking News Radio Market 3 Best WCMU-FM Courthouse Shooting
Breaking News Radio Market 3 Merit WKHM-AM Fire at Jackson High School
Breaking News TV Market 4 Best WBKB-TV Sentencing Charbonneau
Breaking News TV Market 4 Merit WLUC-TV "Storm Damage"
Breaking News Radio Market 4 Best WKQS-FM Ice Storm Coverage
Breaking News Radio Market 4 Merit WJNR-FM F-1 Tornado - September 30th, 2002
Hard News TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV Busted on the Job - Water Workers
Hard News TV Market 1 Merit WJBK-TV Hall of Shame / Turf Team
Hard News Radio Market 1 Best WWJ-AM Triple Fatal Fire
Hard News Radio Market 1 Merit WDET-FM Ford Restructuring
Hard News TV Market 2 Best WZZM-TV Re-United - Sandra Parker
Hard News TV Market 2 Merit WOOD-TV Who's Driving Your Cab
Hard News Radio Market 2 Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Fuel Cell Infrastructure
Hard News Radio Market 2 Merit WKAR-AM/FM East Lansing Teacher Layoffs
Hard News Radio Market 2 Merit WHMI-FM Chimes of Remembrance
Hard News TV Market 3 Best WWTV/WWUP-TV School Bus Safety
Hard News TV Market 3 Merit (Tie) WSYM-TV "Illegal Contact Lenses"
Hard News TV Market 3 Merit (Tie) WLNS-TV Journey of an Angel
Hard News Radio Market 3 Best WCMU-FM Bishop Untener Interview
Hard News Radio Market 3 Merit WKHM-AM "The Pittman Verdict"
Hard News TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV "James Hicks - Sexual Abuse"
Hard News TV Market 4 Merit WBKB-TV Leaking Landfill
Hard News Radio Market 4 Best WGHN-AM/FM "Oscar the Grouch Joins the Dumpstergate Fray"
Hard News Radio Market 4 Merit WKQS-FM Democratic Debate Coverage
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV Problem Solvers/Prostitution
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 1 Merit (Tie) WJBK-TV Problem Solvers/Energy America
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 1 Merit (Tie) WJBK-TV Hall of Shame/Percy the Preacher
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 1 Best WJR-AM 9 Mile
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM In Our Hearts for the Holidays
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 2 Best WWMT-TV "Off to War"
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 2 Merit WWMT-TV "Medicaid Meltdown?"
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 2 Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Michigan Visions
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 2 Merit WOOD-AM "Pioneers of Change"
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 3 Best WLNS-TV "Extreme Kidnapping"
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 3 Merit WILX-TV Joshua's Journey
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 3 Best WCMU-FM Flint Michigan - City at the Crossroads
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 3 Merit No Award Given  
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 4 Best WBKB-TV Reliving the Glory of Days Past
Mini-Documentary/Series TV Market 4 Merit WBKB-TV Remembering 9-11
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 4 Best WGHN-AM/FM "Talkin' Racin' with Tony Stewart & Johnny Benson"
Mini-Documentary/Series Radio Market 4 Merit No Award Given  
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 1 Best WKBD-TV Clyde Smith & Sons
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 1 Merit WKBD-TV Michigan Militia
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 1 Best WWJ-AM You Say Tomato
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM A League of Their Own
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 2 Best WOOD-TV Through Jimmy's Eyes
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 2 Merit WOOD-TV Fear
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 2 Best WHMI-FM Come on Down
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 2 Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Horse Manure
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 3 Best WWTV/WWUP-TV "The Angel House"
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 3 Merit (Tie) WSYM-TV Barry the Band Leader
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 3 Merit (Tie) WLNS-TV His Corner
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 3 Best WCMU-FM From Sea to Shining Sea
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 3 Merit WCMU-FM Civilian Conservation Corps
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV "Trenary Outhouse Races"
Feature/Use of Medium TV Market 4 Merit WBKB-TV Girl Motocross Champ
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 4 Best WMXG-FM Kevin Scannel - Behind the Humor
Feature/Use of Medium Radio Market 4 Merit WGHN-AM/FM "Brothers in Arms"
Weather TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV Why did the Fish Cross the Road?
Weather TV Market 1 Merit No Award Given  
Weather TV Market 2 Best WZZM-TV Weather - 12/17/02
Weather TV Market 2 Merit WZZM-TV Sudden Storm - Weathercast
Weather TV Market 3 Best WPBN/WTOM-TV Boyne Storm 6pm
Weather TV Market 3 Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV May 1st, 2002 Weather
Weather TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV Karl Bohnak - Weathercast
Weather TV Market 4 Merit No Award Given  
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 1 Best WOMC-FM "Dave Peterson Political Commentator" segment of the Dick Purtan Show
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 1 Merit WWJ-AM Larry Henry
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 2 Best WCRZ-FM "Rod & Chris Morning Show"
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 2 Merit WLHT-FM "Sounds Dirty, But Isn't" The Dave & Geri Morning Show
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 3 Best WUFN-FM "Christmas Presents Ruined by Others" as heard on "Dave & Dave in the Morning"
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 3 Merit WKHM-FM The Big Dog & Claire in the Morning
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 4 Best WKQS-FM Mark and Walt in the Morning
Broadcast Personality/Team Radio Market 4 Merit WMXG-FM Morning Mad House
Sports TV Market 1 Best WXYZ-TV Sportscast - Channel 7 Sports 4/16/02
Sports TV Market 1 Merit WXYZ-TV Sportscast - Channel 7 Sports 9/12/02
Sports Radio Market 1 Best WJR-AM Brandy & Bo Show
Sports Radio Market 1 Merit WWJ-AM Jeff Lesson Sports
Sports TV Market 2 Best WXMI-TV Sports Ticket 12-29-02
Sports TV Market 2 Merit WOOD-TV Olympic Stars
Sports Radio Market 2 Best WOOD-AM Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey
Sports Radio Market 2 Merit WOOD-AM "West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball"
Sports TV Market 3 Best WILX-TV Bobby Williams Fired
Sports TV Market 3 Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Football Frenzy
Sports Radio Market 3 Best WIBM-AM "13 Straight Playoff Wins for Lumen Christi"
Sports Radio Market 3 Merit WLEN-FM Sports-Noon Report
Sports TV Market 4 Best WBKB-TV 12-08-02 Sportscast
Sports TV Market 4 Merit WBKB-TV 12-10-02 Sportscast
Sports Radio Market 4 Best WFXD-FM NMU Hockey Play-by-Play
Sports Radio Market 4 Merit WSCG-FM District Final Rockford vs Forest Hills Central
Newscast TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV FOX2 News at 10pm
Newscast TV Market 1 Merit WXYZ-TV Action News 5pm: Remembering 9/11
Newscast Radio Market 1 Best WWJ-AM Red Wings Win the Cup
Newscast Radio Market 1 Merit WWJ-AM November 6th
Newscast TV Market 2 Best WOOD-TV Gas Leak/Downtown Evacuation/td>
Newscast TV Market 2 Merit WXMI-TV Newscast 5-23-02
Newscast Radio Market 2 Best WOOD-AM The Afternoon Drive
Newscast Radio Market 2 Merit WHMI-FM Noon Newscast 10/22/02
Newscast TV Market 3 Best WWTV/WWUP-TV 9 and 10 News at Six
Newscast TV Market 3 Merit WILX-TV Hollister Resigns/Smith Hired
Newscast Radio Market 3 Best WKHM-AM "WKHM News 6 a.m. Report"
Newscast Radio Market 3 Merit WKHM-AM WKHM News/11 O'Clock Report
Newscast TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV Western U.P. Flooding
Newscast TV Market 4 Merit No Award Given  
Newscast Radio Market 4 Best WKQS-FM Daily Newscast
Newscast Radio Market 4 Merit WKQS-FM 2002 Primary Election Results
News Special TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV Busted on the Job: A Problem Solver Special
News Special TV Market 1 Merit WXYZ-TV Ask the Media with Peter Jennings
News Special Radio Market 1 Best WJR-AM The Big Four
News Special Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM 911 One Year Later
News Special TV Market 2 Best WOOD-TV Olympic Hopes, Gold Dreams
News Special TV Market 2 Merit (Tie) WZZM-TV Healing the Racial Divide
News Special TV Market 2 Merit (Tie) WOOD-TV A Millionaire's Murder
News Special Radio Market 2 Best WUCX-FM Nancy Lamott: Portrait of a Cabaret Singer
News Special Radio Market 2 Merit No Award Given  
News Special TV Market 3 Best (Tie) WLNS-TV "911, The Day that Changed Mid-Michigan"
News Special TV Market 3 Best (Tie) WKAR-TV MI at Risk "Sins of the Fathers"
News Special TV Market 3 Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Stories of the Great Lakes
News Special Radio Market 3 Best WKHM-AM Election 2002
News Special Radio Market 3 Merit No Award Given  
News Special TV Market 4 Best WNMU-TV "One-Room, Many Stories: Schoolhouse Memories"
News Special TV Market 4 Merit WBKB-TV The Finish Line
News Special Radio Market 4 Best WKQS-FM Steel Tariff Reaction Special Report
News Special Radio Market 4 Merit WDBC-AM All Day Kindergarten
Special Interest Programming TV Market 1 Best WDIV-TV Olympics Tonight
Special Interest Programming TV Market 1 Merit WDIV-TV Steve's Summer Vacation
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 1 Best WDTR-FM "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren"
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM WJR's Christmas Sing
Special Interest Programming TV Market 2 Best WZZM-TV Healing the Racial Divide
Special Interest Programming TV Market 2 Merit  WOOD-TV Keeping You Safe
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 2 Best WJXQ-FM Salute to Heros
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 2 Merit WUCX-FM "El Zocolo - 12/14/02"
Special Interest Programming TV Market 3 Best WKAR-TV QuizBusters #1411 Howell vs. Alma
Special Interest Programming TV Market 3 Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Life After 9/11, Northern Michigan 1 Year Later
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 3 Best WLEN-FM Phone Calls to Santa
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 3 Merit WIBM-AM The Jamie McKibbin Outdoor Show
Special Interest Programming TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV "Road to Salt Lake City"
Special Interest Programming TV Market 4 Merit WNMU-TV "Media Meet: U.S. Policy on Iraq"
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 4 Best WNMU-FM 8-18 Media
Special Interest Programming Radio Market 4 Merit WDBC-AM/WYKX-FM "The Latest on Chronic Wasting Disease"
Commercial TV Market 1 Best WJBK-TV Detroit Zoo: Polar Palooza
Commercial TV Market 1 Merit WXYZ-TV McDonald's Student Scholar Athlete
Commercial Radio Market 1 Best WJR-AM Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders
Commercial Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM Marine Max
Commercial TV Market 2 Best WZZM-TV Instant Cash
Commercial TV Market 2 Merit WOOD-TV Kalamazoo Gazette
Commercial Radio Market 2 Best WILZ/WYLZ Steins Tool Tarps & More - "Tenting It"
Commercial Radio Market 2 Merit WEEG-FM Saginaw Valley Harley - "Halloweenie"
Commercial TV Market 3 Best WPBN/WTOM-TV Grand Traverse Pavillions
Commercial TV Market 3 Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV McGuires Resort - "Curly's"
Commercial Radio Market 3 Best WLEN-FM Brakes - n - More
Commercial Radio Market 3 Merit WCFX-FM Java City - "Mamala"
Commercial TV Market 4 Best WBKP-TV "Fantasy" Sayen's Business Equipment
Commercial TV Market 4 Merit WBKP-TV Keweenaw Memorial Rehab & Fitness "Feet"
Commercial Radio Market 4 Best WKQS-FM "A & W Pirates"
Commercial Radio Market 4 Merit WSCG-FM "Brads Cleaner's" 
Community Involvement TV Market 1 Best (Tie) WDWB-TV Real People, Real Stories: AIDS Walk 2002
Community Involvement TV Market 1 Best (Tie) WJBK-TV FOX 2 Problem Solvers
Community Involvement TV Market 1 Merit WXYZ-TV I Am An American
Community Involvement Radio Market 1 Best WWJ-AM Community Day at New Terminal
Community Involvement Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM Children's Center Auction
Community Involvement TV Market 2 Best WJRT-TV Election Coverage
Community Involvement TV Market 2 Merit WXMI-TV Holiday Round-Up
Community Involvement Radio Market 2 Best WGVU-AM/FM "Encouraging Future Voters - A Special State Senate Debate"
Community Involvement Radio Market 2 Merit WUCX-FM "Reflections of the Rainbow"
Community Involvement TV Market 3 Best WSYM-TV This is our Home
Community Involvement TV Market 3 Merit WLNS-TV "Kids and Smoking"
Community Involvement Radio Market 3 Best WKHM-FM Big Dog's Roof Sit
Community Involvement Radio Market 3 Merit WIBM-AM American One Grand Prix Championship Race
Community Involvement TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV The TV6 Canathon
Community Involvement TV Market 4 Merit WBKB-TV Salvation Army Contest
Community Involvement Radio Market 4 Best WTVB-AM Homeless Awareness Week
Community Involvement Radio Market 4 Merit WMXG-FM Toys for Tots Campout
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 1 Best WXYZ-TV Red Wings Thank You
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 1 Merit WJBK-TV FOX 2 News at 10pm
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 1 Best WJR-AM WJR Information & Services Promo
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 1 Merit WJR-AM Rush Limbaugh Promo
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 2 Best WJRT-TV The Thrill of Shoplifting
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 2 Merit WZZM-TV Adoption Reunion
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 2 Best WODJ-FM Grand Rapids Heritage/ The Launching of "The New 107.3"
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 2 Merit WTRV-FM River BBQ
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 3 Best WLNS-TV "Morning Show"
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 3 Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Try Before You Buy
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 3 Best WIBM-AM Winter Weather Watch Promo
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 3 Merit WKHM-FM Big Dog on the Roof
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 4 Best WLUC-TV "New at 11" TV6 Late News Promotion
Marketing Materials/Promos TV Market 4 Merit WBKP-TV "Mark & Walt in the Morning"
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 4 Best WMQT-FM The Red Wings, A Luxury Box, & a Zamboni
Marketing Materials/Promos Radio Market 4 Merit WMXG-FM Christmas Cash Winner Promo