2005 Broadcast Excellence Awards
Awarded March 2006


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, 2005.

 

2005 Stations of the Year

Commercial Broadcasting Station of the Year


TV Market 1 - WJBK-TV, Detroit





Radio Market 1 -- WJR-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- WTVS, Detroit




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, Howell & 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


Market 1 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WWJ-AM London Bombing
Breaking News Story Merit WWJ-AM Rosa Parks
Hard News Story Best WWJ-AM Detroit Mayor Election
Hard News Story Merit WWJ-AM GM Layoffs
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WJR-AM Beginner's Guide to the High Tech World
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WWJ-AM Countdown to Jazzfest
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJR-AM Spell it Out
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WWJ-AM Fanfest is Shag-a-Delic
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WWJ-AM WWJ Morning Team
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WJR-AM Mitch Albom
Sports Best WJR-AM U of M Football/Penn State
Sports Merit WXYT-AM Detroit Red Wings - 1st Shootout
Newscast Best WWJ-AM August 10-5am News
Newscast Merit WJR-AM WJR News 6pm 3-28-05
News Special Best WJR-AM Big Four Mackinaw
News Special Merit WJR-AM Ask the Governor
Special Interest Programming Best WJR-AM Christmas Sing
Special Interest Programming Merit WWJ-AM Car Chronicles
Commercial Best WJR-AM Sexy Pheasant
Commercial Merit WDTK-AM The White Witch
Community Involvement Best WXYT-AM Big Show for the Big Cure
Community Involvement Merit WWJ-AM Great Stuff Every Day
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WXYT-AM WXYT Website
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WJR-AM Remembering 760

Market 1 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WDIV-TV Piquette Market Fire
Breaking News Story Merit WJBK-TV Highland Park Fires
Hard News Story Best WJBK-TV Lonnie Bates Investigation
Hard News Story Merit WXYZ-TV Carlita's Car
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WJBK-TV Unpunished Deaths
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WJBK-TV Hall of Shame
Feature/Use of Medium Best WDIV-TV Tommy's Surgery
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WJBK-TV Fudgegate
Weather Best   (no award given)
Weather Merit   (no award given)
Sports Best WJBK-TV Fox 2 Sports Work 10/02/05
Sports Merit   (no award given)
Newscast Best WXYZ-TV 5pm Newscast-8/19/05
Newscast Merit WDIV-TV 11pm Newscast-11/21/05
News Special Best WDIV-TV Remembering Rosa Parks
News Special Merit WXYZ-TV Ford Freedom Award0The Songstress and the Stylist
Special Interest Programming Best WJBK-TV Operation Smile
Special Interest Programming Merit WXYZ-TV Woodward Dream Cruise
Commercial Best WJBK-TV McDonald's 'Thought You'd Like To Know'
Commercial Merit   (no award given)
Community Involvement Best WJBK-TV Read to Achieve
Community Involvement Merit WJBK-TV Fox 2 Holiday Connection
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WJBK-TV My Story
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WXYZ-TV 7 On Your Side Campaign

Market 2 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WOOD-AM Summertime Shoot-out
Breaking News Story Merit WOOD-AM Pile up on US 131
Hard News Story First WOOD-AM The State of Grand Rapids
Hard News Story Merit   (no award given)
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WSGW-AM SVSU Technology
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WHMI-FM Klan Robe Auction
Feature/Use of Medium Best WIOG-FM Children's Miracle Network
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WOOD-AM Welcome Home
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WGRD-FM Free Beer and Hot Wings Morning Show
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WHMI-FM Marino and The Morning Crew
Sports Best WBBL-AM Lakers Top the Norse
Sports Merit WVFN-AM Michigan State-Tennessee Final Four
Newscast First WOOD-AM 2pm News
Newscast Merit WHMI-FM 8am Newscast 4/29/05
News Special Best WOOD-AM Getting Real with the Governor
News Special Merit  

(no award given)

Special Interest Programming Best WNWN-FM Auto Woes
Special Interest Programming Merit WKZO-AM Fairfield Week in Review
Commercial Best WHMI-FM Breath Taking' Yax Jewelers
Commercial Merit WKQZ-FM Northern Computers 'Trojan Horse'
Community Involvement Best WIOG-FM Children's Miracle Network
Community Involvement Merit WBCT-FM B93 Roofsit for Kids
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WGRD-FM Audioslave Soundcheck/Star Wards Geeks
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WOOD-AM Many Sides of Rick and Scott

Market 2 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WOOD-TV US 131 Pile-up
Breaking News Story Merit WJRT-TV Owosso Warehouse Fire
Hard News Story Best WWMT-TV After the War, Before the Peace
Hard News Story Merit WOOD-TV Medina Manhunt
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WZZM-TV Young Body, Old Ear
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WWMT-TV A Quiet Little Town
Feature/Use of Medium Best WWMT-TV Guitar Maker
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WSMH-TV Wild Boar Hunt
Weather Best WZZM-TV Weathercast 12/15/05 - 11pm
Weather Merit WWMT-TV WWMT-TV Keith Thompson
Sports Best WNEM-TV Best of the Buick Open
Sports Merit WXMI-TV Fox 17 Friday Football Blitz
Newscast Best WOOD-TV 24hr News 8 @ 6pm
Newscast Merit WOOD-TV 24hr News 8 @ 11pm (11-17-05)
News Special Best WOOD-TV Race in Reality
News Special Merit WJRT-TV Border Battle
Special Interest Programming Best WOOD-TV Race in Reality
Special Interest Programming Merit WJRT-TV Holiday Pops with the Flint Symphony Orchestra
Commercial Best WXMI-TV Fox 17 Bowling League
Commercial Merit WZZM-TV Ostman's Floral
Community Involvement Best WZZM-TV Food for Families
Community Involvement Merit WZZM-TV Toys for Tots
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WXMI-TV Basketball Blitz Advance
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WZZM-TV Lessens Watched; Lessons Learned

Market 3 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WKHM-AM Downtown Fire Scene
Breaking News Story Merit WKHM-AM Military Base Closures
Hard News Story Best WLEN-FM Request for Adrian City Administrator to Resign
Hard News Story Merit WKHM-AM Dungy Tragedy
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WUFN-FM Michigan Lottery
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLEN-FM City Commissioner Candidates
Feature/Use of Medium Best WKHM-AM Jethro Bodine Lives
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WLEN-FM A Chat with a Champ
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best WLEN-FM Mornings with Lori and Steve
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit WKHM-AM AM Jackson with Greg O'Connor
Sports Best WLEN-FM Morning Sports Report
Sports Merit WTCM-AM T.C. Trojan Football Pregame
Newscast Best WKHM-AM WKHM 8 o'clock Report
Newscast Merit WLEN-FM Tim Hernandez-June 7th, 2005
News Special Best WLEN-FM Partyline Now - Local Ties - Katrina Victim Speaks
News Special Merit WKHM-AM Election Central 2005
Special Interest Programming Best WKHM-AM Live From MIS
Special Interest Programming Merit WIBM-AM The Jamie McKibbin Outdoor Show
Commercial Best WTCM-AM Bodamer Brothers-New Windows
Commercial Merit WLEN-FM Dunnies Electronics-Part 1 (Dear Diary)
Community Involvement Best WLEN-FM Rally to Ride
Community Involvement Merit WTCM-AM Paper Angels-Christmas 2005
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WKHM-FM Deck the Halls
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WLEN-FM WLEN is Supercharging Lenawee County

Market 3 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Brethen Shots Fired
Breaking News Story Merit WLNS-TV Apartment Fire
Hard News Story Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Policing College
Hard News Story Merit WILX-TV Police Chase
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WWTV/WWUP-TV The Cost of War
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLNS-TV Inmate Advice
Feature/Use of Medium Best WLNS-TV Museum of Failed Products
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WLNS-TV Blind Marathon Runner
Weather Best WWTV/WWUP-TV A Blistery Mess
Weather Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Holiday Travel
Sports Best WPBN/WTOM-TV Football Frenzy 10/28/05
Sports Merit WLNS-TV Sports Overtime
Newscast Best WILX-TV 6pm Newscast 11-21-05
Newscast Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV 9 and 10 News @ 6 'Weather Mess'
News Special Best WLNS-TV MSU@150: Highlights in Green and White
News Special Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Edmund Fitzgerald, Thirty Years A Legend
News Special Merit   (no award given)
Special Interest Programming Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Edmund Fitzgerald, Thirty Years A Legend
Special Interest Programming Merit WLNS-TV March to Glory
Commercial Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Diocese of Gaylord Conversation/Daughter
Commercial Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Swaffers Chrysler
Community Involvement Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Operation Bridge Out
Community Involvement Merit WSYM-TV Meth Baby
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Edmund Fitzgerald, Thirty Years A Legend
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Weather Strikes

Market 4 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WSJM-AM February Plane Crash Kills All on Board
Breaking News Story Merit WSJM-AM Election Fraud Charged in Benton Harbor Recall
Hard News Story Best WSJM-AM Restaurantuer Fights to Stay in U.S.
Hard News Story Merit WSJM-AM Jimmy Carter Work Project Brings Hope & Homes to Benton Harbor
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WKLA-AM Farm Bureau Week
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WKJC-FM Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Feature/Use of Medium Best WSJM-AM From a Galaxy Not So Far Away
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WSJM-AM Cass County Farmers Get Naked for Fundraiser
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Best   (no award given)
Broadcast Personality/Radio Team Merit   (no award given)
Sports Best WSCG-AM Division 2 Regional Finals
Sports Merit WKQS-FM Negaunee Miner Football
Newscast Best WSJM-AM WSJM Morning News 12/28
Newscast Merit WSJM-AM WSJM News Midday 2/4/05
News Special Best WSJM-AM 2005 - Southwest Michigan Year in Review
News Special Merit WKLA-AM 2005 News in Review
Special Interest Programming Best WKQS-FM Drunk Driving Special
Special Interest Programming Merit WNBY-FM Save Newberry Support Rally
Commercial Best WNBY-FM Pappa Reggies
Commercial Merit WSCG-FM Grandma/Larry's Northtown Furniture
Community Involvement Best WKQS-FM Pigs 'n Heat promo
Community Involvement Merit WKJC-FM Tawas Sesuicentennial
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WNBY-FM Where's the Pepsi?
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WSJM-AM Station of the Year Promo

Market 4 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WLUC-TV Rice Lake Fire
Breaking News Story Merit   (no award given)
Hard News Story Best WLUC-TV Pasta Sauce
Hard News Story Merit   (no award given)
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WLUC-TV Liquored Up
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLUC-TV Destination Mississippi
Feature/Use of Medium Best WBKB-TV Tree Shopping
Feature/Use of Medium Merit   (no award given)
Weather Best WLUC-TV Early News Weather
Weather Merit   (no award given)
Sports Best WLUC-TV Early News Sports Dec. 2nd
Sports Merit   (no award given)
Newscast Best WLUC-TV TV 6 Early News - July 22
Newscast Merit   (no award given)
News Special Best WLUC-TV Our Soldiers Far From Home
News Special Merit   (no award given)
Special Interest Programming Best WLUC-TV Football Fever 2005
Special Interest Programming Merit   (no award given)
Commercial Best WLUC-TV Marquette Community Credit Union
Commercial Merit WBUP-TV Portage Lake Golf Course
Community Involvement Best WLUC-TV Clean U.P. Campaign
Community Involvement Merit   (no award given)
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WLUC-TV Marquette Recall Promotion
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WLUC-TV Soldiers Far from Home
SOY Station Activity Report Best WLUC-TV  
SOY Station Activity Report Merit WBKB-TV  


Group 1 - Public Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WCMU-FM Northern Border Security
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit WCMU-FM Electrolux Aftermath
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WCMU-FM Cultural & Historical Iraq on the Eve of Election
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WCMU-FM Michigan's Economy: Can it be Saved?
Newscast Best   (no award given)
Newscast Merit   (no award given)
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best   (no award given)
News Special or Public Affairs Program Merit WGVU-AM/FM Positive Influences
Feature/Use of Medium Best WEMU-FM Pinball Art
Feature/Use of Medium Merit   (no award given)
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WUCX-FM Vanishing Voices of World War II
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit   (no award given)
Community Involvement Best WGVU-AM/FM Positive Influences
Community Involvement Merit WUCX-FM Carly's Story
Membership Appeal Best WUCX-FM Carly's Story
Membership Appeal Merit   (no award given)
Marketing Materials & Promos Best   (no award given)
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit   (no award given)

Group 1 - Public TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WKAR-TV The Granholm Report Card
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit WKAR-TV Charter Schools
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WKAR-TV Charter Schools: Here to Stay?
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WFUM-TV Watershed
Feature/Use of Medium Best WGVU-TV Petra: A Near East Marvel
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WKAR-TV Sparty!
Cultural & Performing Arts Best WKAR-TV Quizbusters #1707 Grand Ledge vs. Linden
Cultural & Performing Arts Merit WFUM-TV Matrix
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Best WNMU-TV The U.P. 200: A Community Pulling Together
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Merit WGVU-TV GVSU Sports Report
News or Public Affairs Special Best WKAR-TV Granholm Report Card
News or Public Affairs Special Merit WFUM-TV Michigan Higher Education
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WGVU-TV High Gear 2005
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WCMU-TV Journey From Egypt
Membership Appeal Best WFUM-TV Tax Credit
Membership Appeal Merit   (no award given)
Community Involvement Best WGVU-TV Cool Teacher Contest
Community Involvement Best WKAR-TV Auction
Community Involvement Merit   (no award given)
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WGVU-TV High Gear 2005
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WGVU-TV Cool Teacher Contest
News Special or Documentary Best WDCQ-TV Vanishing Voices of World War II
News Special or Documentary Merit WGVU-TV Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah

Group 2 - Public Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Delphi's Bankruptcy
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Detroit Remembers Rosa Parks
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WKAR-AM/FM Competing for Kids; Schools of Choice
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WDET-FM People Mover Series
Newscast Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Newscast, 9/23/05
Newscast Merit   (no award given)
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Higher Education: Does Michigan have a Future?
News Special or Public Affairs Program Merit   (no award given)
Feature/Use of Medium Best WDET-FM Danica
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM 826 Michigan
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Stateside Air Dates 5-20
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WNMU-FM Marquette Area Blues Fest 2005
Community Involvement Best   (no award given)
Community Involvement Merit   (no award given)
Membership Appeal Best   (no award given)
Membership Appeal Merit WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM West Michigan Member Event
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WUOM/WVGR/WFUM-FM Pedaling for Stories
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit   (no award given)


Group 1 - Public TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best   (no award given)
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit   (no award given)
Mini-Documentary or Series Best   (no award given)
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit   (no award given)
Feature/Use of Medium Best   (no award given)
Feature/Use of Medium Merit   (no award given)
Cultural & Performing Arts Best WTVS-TV Sphinx Competition 8th Annual
Cultural & Performing Arts Merit   (no award given)
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Best WTVS-TV Get Up! Get Out!
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Merit   (no award given)
News or Public Affairs Special Best   (no award given)
News or Public Affairs Special Merit   (no award given)
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WTVS-TV Reading Rainbow Young Writers/Illustrators Contest
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit    
Membership Appeal Best   (no award given)
Membership Appeal Merit   (no award given)
Community Involvement Best   (no award given)
Community Involvement Merit   (no award given)
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WTVS-TV Faces of Scotch
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit   (no award given)
News Special or Documentary Best WTVS-TV Expanding Vision/Touching Lives
News Special or Documentary Merit   (no award given)




 

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

Past Winners