2006 Broadcast Excellence Awards
Awarded March 2007


A total of 841 entries were received from 22 commercial television stations, 46 commercial radio stations 6 public television stations, 9 public radio stations and 4 radio networks. All entries aired between January 1 and December 31, 2006.

 

2006 Stations of the Year

Commercial Broadcasting Station of the Year


TV Market 1 - WJBK-TV, Detroit





Radio Market 1 -- WWJ-AM, Detroit




TV Market 2 - WOOD-TV8, Grand Rapids



Radio Market 2 - WOOD-AM, Grand Rapids




TV Market 3 - WWTV/WWUP-TV, Cadillac

 

 




Radio Market 3 - WLEN-FM, Adrian




TV Market 4 - WLUC-TV, Marquette




Radio Market 4 - WSJM-AM, St. Joseph




Public Broadcasting Station of the Year



Public TV-Group 1- WKAR-TV, East Lansing




Public Radio-Group 1- WGVU, Grand Rapids




Public TV-Group 2- No Entries in Station of the Year Category




Public Radio-Group 2- WUOM/WVGR/WFUM, Ann Arbor




Winners of the "MAB Station of the Year" Award are based on the number of points scored by the station: 12 points for each Best award in categories 2 -13; 13 points for Best in category 1 "Station of the Year Report;" 6 points for each Merit award in categories 2 -13; and 7 points for Merit award in category 1 "Station of the Year Report."

 

A Station of the Year Award may be presented in each market category for commercial radio and television and one may be presented to the public broadcasting radio and television station respectively. To be considered for the "MAB Station of the Year" designation, stations must enter a minimum of five (5) different categories, one of which must be the Station of the Year Report category

 

All categories' points are added together to determine a "MAB Station of the Year" winner. If the competition results in a tie, the station with the best finish in Category 1 (Station of the Year Report) will be declared the market winner.

 


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


Radio Markets

 Market 1 Detroit Metro Area
 Market 2 Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, Flint, Tri-Cities & Lansing
 Market 3 Traverse City, Cadillac, Jackson, Adrian & Port Huron
 Market 4 Marquette, Escanaba, Alpena and others
 Group 1 Public radio stations with less than $2 million budget
 Group 2 Public radio stations with more than $2 million budget

Television Markets

 Market 1 Detroit Metro Area
 Market 2 Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint, Tri-Cities
 Market 3 Traverse City, Cadillac & Lansing
 Market 4 Marquette, Escanaba, Alpena and others
 Group 1 Public television stations with less than $6 million budget
 Group 2 Public television stations with more than $6 million budget

Statewide Broadcasting Networks

 Radio All radio statewide broadcasting networks
 Television All television statewide broadcasting networks


Market 1 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WWJ-AM Remembering Bo
Breaking News Story Merit WWJ-AM Jack Kevorkian Paroled
Hard News Story Best WWJ-AM Cars of the Future
Hard News Story Merit WJR-AM Collision Course
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WWJ-AM Sixty "Sonny" Years
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WJR-AM A Desire Named Streetcar
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJR-AM White Christmas
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WWJ-AM JazzFest
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WJR-AM Frank Beckmann
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WJR-AM Mitch Albom
Sports Best WWJ-AM Cardiac Cats Claw A's
Sports Merit WJR-AM Mackinaw Race Reports
Newscast Best WWJ-AM 3:00pm News, Nov 17th, 2006
Newscast Merit WWJ-AM 7:00pm News, Dec 6, 2006
News Special Best WJR-AM 9-11 Frank Beckmann
News Special Merit WWJ-AM The White House Auto Summit
Special Interest Programming Best WVMV-FM Ladies of the Museum
Special Interest Programming Merit WWJ-AM Autobeat Daily
Commercial Best WJR-AM S & J Tree Co.
Commercial Merit WWJ-AM New Detroit Science Center "Bugs"
Community Involvement Best WWJ-AM Super Bowl 40
Community Involvement Merit WJR-AM Salvation Army Mission Statement #2
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WJR-AM Paul W. Smith 10th Anniversary
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WLQV-AM "Hey Paul, Hey Scott" Series
SOY Station Activity Report Best WWJ-AM  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WJR-AM  

Market 1 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WXYZ-TV Comerica Bank Hostages
Breaking News Story Merit WXYZ-TV 40 Car Pile Up
Hard News Story Best WXYZ-TV Oakland County Sheriff Shooting - Part I & II
Hard News Story Merit WXYZ-TV Squeezing Seniors
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WJBK-TV Tax Man
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WXYZ-TV Dearborn Heights Shooting
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJBK-TV Prom Car
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WDIV-TV Husband on Strike
Weather Best WXYZ-TV Weather Coverage- Super Bowl
Weather Merit WJBK-TV Wyatt Everhart Weather
Sports Best WJBK-TV 10pm Sportsworks 6-15-06
Sports Merit WJBK-TV 10pm Sportsworks
Newscast Best WDIV-TV Local 4 News at 6
Newscast Merit WXYZ-TV Action News at 11
News Special Best WDIV-TV The China Syndrome
News Special Merit WJBK-TV Money Makeover
Special Interest Programming Best WXYZ-TV Woodward Dream Cruise
Special Interest Programming Merit WJBK-TV Holiday Connection
Commercial Best WJBK-TV Wedding of a Lifetime
Commercial Merit WJBK-TV McDonalds Big Bite
Community Involvement Best WJBK-TV Salvation Army "Doing the Most Good"
Community Involvement Merit WDIV-TV School Security
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WXYZ-TV Oakland County Child Killer
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WWJ-TV Latenight Line-Up
SOY Station Activity Report Best WJBK-TV  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WXYZ-TV  

Market 2 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WWWW-FM The Huron Claims a Life
Breaking News Story Merit WOOD-AM Kentwood Cop Shot in Grand Rapids
Hard News Story First WJIM-AM Lisa Holland Verdict
Hard News Story First WNEM-AM Caro Cellphone Terrorism
Hard News Story First WOOD-AM Electrolux Closes
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WOOD-AM The Ada Argument
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WHMI-FM A Look at Substance Abuse & Addiction in Livingston County
Feature/Use of Medium Best WIOG-FM "Children's Miracle Network: Tommy Plunkey's Story"
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WHMI-FM Polar Express
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WGRD-FM Producer Joe Walks Through Car Wash
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WBBL-AM "Tribute to Bo"
Sports Best WOOD-AM Grand Rapids Griffins
Sports Merit WBBL-AM GVSU for Two
Sports Merit WVFN-AM MSU Coaching Saga
Newscast First WJIM-AM Newscast
Newscast First WOOD-AM "3pm Newscast 11/28/06"
Newscast Merit WHMI-FM "5pm Newscast"
News Special Best WOOD-AM A Colonel's Salute to Veterans
News Special Merit WNEM-AM

Election Coverage Hours 1& 2

Special Interest Programming Best WGRD-FM GRD Halloween Parade
Special Interest Programming Merit WHMI-FM Viewpoint - School Flags
Commercial Best WHNN-FM Sloan Museum - Dinomania 2 Kickoff
Commercial Merit WIOG-FM Marcotti's Pizzeria - Pizza Talk
Community Involvement Best WKZO-AM 590 KZO Potluck Paldemonium
Community Involvement Merit WHTS-FM Dave and Geri Holiday Wishes
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WFAT-FM Rock Flight Promo-Elton John
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WJIM-AM Promos
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WOOD-AM The Rick and Scott Show
SOY Station Activity Report Best WGRD-FM  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WHMI-FM  

Market 2 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WOOD-TV Otis Nelson Escapes
Breaking News Story Merit WOOD-TV President Ford Dies
Hard News Story Best WOOD-TV Testing School Security
Hard News Story Merit WJRT-TV Bad Home Inspector
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WOOD-TV Cindy Sue Horton
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WJRT-TV Dying Young
Feature/Use of Medium Best WZZM-TV Coffee and the Gas Prices
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WWMT-TV Christmas at the Drive-In
Weather Best WOOD-TV Daybreak Icy Weather
Weather Merit WEYI-TV Weathercast
Sports Best WZZM-TV Superbowl Events
Sports Merit WNEM-TV Saginaw Spirit Hockey Game
Newscast Best WOOD-TV 24 Hour News 8 at 11pm: 2/28/06
Newscast Merit WXMI-TV Newscast: 2/28/06
News Special Best WOOD-TV Olympic Hopes, Gold Dreams
News Special Merit WOOD-TV Remembering President Ford
Special Interest Programming Best WJRT-TV 2006 Holiday Pops
Special Interest Programming Merit WOOD-TV Remembering President Ford
Commercial Best WZZM-TV FOX GMC - Truck Month
Commercial Merit WXMI-TV Holiday Gift Guide
Community Involvement Best WJRT-TV Saginaw Family Fun Day
Community Involvement Merit WXMI-TV Waterfront Film Festival
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WZZM-TV Back to Bed Campaign
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WJRT-TV Winter's First Alert
SOY Station Activity Report Best WOOD-TV  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WZZM-TV  

Market 3 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WKHM-AM "Train Tragedy" - Live at Scene
Breaking News Story Merit WLEN-FM Bomb Threat
Hard News Story Best WKHM-AM Troops Say Goodbye
Hard News Story Merit WLEN-FM Citgo Robberies
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WLEN-FM Local Mega Dairy Farm
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WKHM-AM The Cable Controversy
Feature/Use of Medium Best WLEN-FM Light Over Darkness: The Christmas Story
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WLEN-FM Liz Allison - Racing Wife
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WKHM-FM "The Big Dog and Susan Morning Show"
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WKHM-AM AM Jackson w/ Greg O'Connor
Sports Best WLEN-FM Tiger Special
Sports Merit WTCM-AM High School Pregame
Newscast Best WKHM-AM WKHM Six O'Clock Report - 11/28/06
Newscast Merit WLEN-FM School Threats
News Special Best WKHM-AM "Election 2006" Live
News Special Merit WLEN-FM Partyline Now - Ask the Lawyer
Special Interest Programming Best WKHM-AM Live From MIS (Michigan International Speedway)
Special Interest Programming Merit WLEN-FM Adrian College Stadium Tour
Commercial Best WLEN-FM Emilio's Tex Mex - The Stomach
Commercial Merit WKHM-AM Shaffer Reddi Mix
Community Involvement Best WLEN-FM Hold on to your Hair - For Locks of Love and Hospice Lenawee
Community Involvement Merit WLEN-FM Veteran's Day
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WKHM-FM Pay off the Plastic
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WKHM-AM Heating Things Up 2 Promo
SOY Station Activity Report Best WLEN-FM  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WKHM-AM  

Market 3 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WILX-TV Potterville Train Derailment
Breaking News Story Merit WILX-TV Lisa Holland Guilty
Hard News Story Best WILX-TV Baby Home from War
Hard News Story Merit WLNS-TV Holland Trial
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WLNS-TV Hurricane Relief Trip
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Kidney Donation
Feature/Use of Medium Best WPBN/WTOM-TV Jacob Orban
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WLNS-TV Hurricane Relief Trip
Weather Best WPBN/WTOM-TV Wild Weather
Weather Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV July Severe Thunderstorms
Sports Best WLNS 6 News at 6pm - November 27, 2006
Sports Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Sports Overtime Pregame
Newscast Best WILX-TV News 10 at 6
Newscast Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Wild Weather - 11pm Newscast
News Special Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Ice Cutter Mackinaw; Queen of the Great Lakes
News Special Merit WLNS-TV Picking Up the Pieces
Special Interest Programming Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Ice Cutter Mackinaw; Queen of the Great Lakes
Special Interest Programming Merit WLNS-TV Michigan Walk of Fame
Commercial Best WSYM-TV Religion Gets in the Way
Commercial Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Wellington Farms
Community Involvement Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Best of the Class
Community Involvement Merit WLNS-TV Holidays for Highfields
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WILX-TV Breaking News Image Campaign
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WSYM-TV News/Weather Generic
SOY Station Activity Report Best WPBN/WTOM-TV  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV  

Market 4 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WSJM-AM Desperate 911 Call Fails to Save 2 Murdered Women
Breaking News Story Merit WSJM-AM Former Teen Crisis Center Director Jail for Child Pornography
Hard News Story Best WSJM-AM Whirpool Corporation Merges with Maytag
Hard News Story Merit WGHN-AM G.O.P. Campaigns in Grand Haven
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WKLA-AM Memorial Medical Center: 100 Years of Excellence
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WKLA-AM Ludington Library: Reflections 1906 to 2006
Feature/Use of Medium Best WSJM-AM Southwest Michigan Remember Bo Schembechler
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WMOM-FM Michigan Alligator
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WKJC-FM Kevin Allen Show
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WAGN-AM Josh Kellner & Mark Robatille D5 Football Finals
Sports Best WSCG-AM Greenville Clinches Playoff Berth
Sports Merit WKJC-FM Tawas vs. Oscoda Basketball Broadcast
Newscast Best WSJM-AM WSJM Morning News with Jim Gifford and Annette Weston
Newscast Merit WHTC-AM Best Newscast
News Special Best WSJM-AM WSJM 2006: A Year in Review
Commercial Best WSUE-FM The Back Door - St. Patty's Day
Commercial Merit WSUE-FM Paesano Foods - Santa Baby
Community Involvement Best WKJC-FM Iosco County Relay For Life
Community Involvement Merit WSJM-AM Kids Fair 2006
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WNBY-FM Pumpkin Prowl
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WMJT-FM Bark River 100 Giveaway 2
SOY Station Activity Report Best WSJM  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WJNR  

Market 4 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WLUC-TV Presque Isle Drowning
Hard News Story Best WLUC-TV Mather 911
Hard News Story Merit WBKB-TV Sex Offender Sweeps
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WLUC-TV Big Bucks, Big Hopes, Big Failure
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLUC-TV Cold Hard Facts
Feature/Use of Medium Best WLUC "Diabetic Teen"
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WLUC "Grease Car Revisited"
Weather Best WLUC-TV Late Weather
Weather Merit WLUC-TV Morning Weather
Sports Best WLUC-TV TV6 Late News-Sports with Mike Ludlum
Newscast First WLUC-TV Early News
News Special Best WLUC-TV Healthy Weight Challenge
Special Interest Programming First WLUC-TV Lights, Camera, Action
Commercial Merit WLUC-TV Patriot Homes "Telephone"
Community Involvement Best WLUC-TV Huffing
Community Involvement Merit WBKB-TV Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WLUC-TV TV6 Morning News Team
SOY Station Activity Report Best WLUC-TV  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WBKB-TV  

Group 1 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WGVU-AM/FM St. James Catholic School Closing
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WICA-FM Migrant Stories
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WICA-FM Growing up in State Care
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best WGVU-AM/FM Green Home
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WICA-FM Interlochen Presents
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WNMU-FM Niany Diabate & Mady Kouyate Live in the WNMU Studios
Community Involvement Best WGVU-AM/FM Positive Influences
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WGVU-AM/FM  

Group 1 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WKAR-TV The Hate Next Door
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit WKAR-TV/WNMU-TV Michigan's Green Energy Economy
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WKAR-TV Michigan at Risk-Homefront
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WFUM-TV Matrix: Shipwreck Museum & Shadow Towns
Feature/Use of Medium Best WFUM-TV Matrix: Howell Opera House
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WFUM-TV Flint Institute of Arts Renewal
Cultural & Performing Arts Best WNMU-TV From Mali to Michigan: A Musical Bridge
Cultural & Performing Arts Merit WFUM-TV Ann Arbor Film Festival
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Best WGVU-TV Fall in Love with Michigan
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Merit WCMU-TV The Coaches Zone: How the West was Won
News or Public Affairs Special Merit WGVU-TV Positive Influences: A Town Hall Meeting
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WKAR-TV The Music of Mozart: Malcolm Bilson in Concert and Conversation
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WKAR-TV QuizBusters
Membership Appeal Best WGVU-TV Vehicle Donation
Membership Appeal Merit WGVU-TV WGVU Membercard Roll-in
Community Involvement Best WKAR-TV The Faces of Childhood Cancer
Community Involvement Merit WGVU-TV Write. Create. You
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WGVU-TV Puppet Character Teasers
News Special or Documentary Best WFUM-TV Front Porch Theatre
News Special or Documentary Merit WKAR-TV The Hate Next Door-Michigan at Risk
SOY Station Activity Report Best WKAR-TV  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WGVU/WGVK-TV  

Group 2 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WDET-FM Hoffa Special
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Family for Arivs
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Children's Health/ Obesity Series
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Clean Car Series
Feature/Use of Medium Best WKAR-FM Lesbian Zip Code
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM All Aboard the Fish Train
Newscast Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Newscast: Tamar Charney
Newscast Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Newscast: Charity Nebbe 8/11
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WDET-FM Front Row Center
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WDET-FM Live from Studio A
Membership Appeal Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM I'm a Member
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM "Fish Train" Promo
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Children's Health/ Obesity Series Promo
SOY Station Activity Report Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WDET-FM  

Group 2 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WDCQ-TV Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 70th Anniv. Concert
News Special or Documentary Best WDCQ-TV Sawdust and Shanty Boy-Logging the Saginaw Valley White Pine

Network Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News Story Best Michigan Radio Network Granholm Wins Re-election
Hard News Story Merit Michigan Radio Network Neo-Nazi Rally/ MI Capitol-Net 4/24/06
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best Spartan Sports Network This Week in College Basketball
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit Spartan Sports Network Michigan Sports Brief
Feature/Use of Medium Best Spartan Sports Network Spartan Flashback/ MSU at Purdue 1993
Feature/Use of Medium Merit Spartan Sports Network This Week in College Football 9-1-06
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best Michigan Talk Network Michael Patrick Shiels
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit Handyman Productions Glenn Haege
Sports Best Spartan Sports Network Michigan State vs. Notre Dame - 9-23-06
Sports Merit Spartan Sports Network Michigan State vs. Bradley 12/03/06
Newscast Best Michigan Talk Network Gary Austin/News Director Select Cuts
Newscast Merit Michigan Radio Network "Newscast 12/15/06"
News Special Best Michigan Talk Network Election Night Coverage - Nov. 7, 2006
News Special Merit Spartan Sports Network NCAA Tournament Preview Special
Special Interest Programming Best Spartan Sports Network Tom Izzo Show/Christmas
Special Interest Programming Merit Handyman Productions Handyman Show with Glenn Haege
Commercial Best Spartan Sports Network Jersey Giant: Womens Basketball #2
Commercial Merit Spartan Sports Network Burger: Menu
Community Involvement Best Michigan Talk Network Tobacco Free Michigan



 

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

Past winners: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004