2008 Broadcast Excellence Awards
Awarded March 2009


Congratulations 2008 Broadcast Excellence Awards Stations of the Year! – (back row, l-r) Jay Morris, WKZO-AM (Kalamazoo); Bob Sliva, WXYZ-TV (Detroit); Phil Hendrix, WLNS-TV (Lansing); Patt Hayes, WLEN-FM (Adrian); Steve Schram, Michigan Radio; and Michael Walenta, WGVU-TV (Grand Rapids). (front row, l-r) John Marshall, WJR-AM (Detroit); Jayne Hodak, WJRT-TV (Flint); Barry Baker, WDCQ-TV (University Center); Jim Gifford, WSJM-AM/FM (St. Joseph); and Tom Paulson, WICA-FM (Interlochen).


Stations: to order a duplicate award, download a form here

2008 Stations of the Year

Commercial Broadcasting Stations of the Year


TV Market 1 - WXYZ-TV, Detroit





Radio Market 1 -- WJR-AM, Detroit




TV Market 2 - WJRT-TV, Flint



Radio Market 2 - WKZO-AM, Kalamazoo




TV Market 3 - WLNS-TV, Lansing


Radio Market 3 - WLEN-FM, Adrian





 

 

 



Radio Market 4 - WSJM-AM/FM, St. Joseph






Public Broadcasting Stations of the Year



Public TV-Group 1- WGVU-TV, Grand Rapids




Public Radio-Group 1- WICA-FM, Interlochen
Public Radio, Interlochen




Public TV-Group 2- WDCQ-TV, Delta College



 




Public Radio-Group 2- Michigan Radio 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: 10 points for each Best award and 5 points for each merit.

A Station of the Year Award may be presented in each market category for commercial radio and television. Station of the Year is based on five categories. For commericial television these categories are Investigative Story, Weathercast, Sports, Newscast and Community Involvement. In Commercial radio, Station of the Year is based on the categories of Newscast, Commercial, Marketing Materials and Promos, Community Involvement and Personality. In public radio and television, Station of the Year is based on the highest points earned from all categories.

 


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, 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

 

Duplicate Awards: Need a duplicate? Download this order form.


Market 1 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WWJ-AM Text Message Charges
Breaking News Story Merit WDFN-AM Matt Millen Coverage
Investigative Story Best WWJ-AM Riding Out The Recession
Investigative Story Merit WJR-AM Tale of Two Cities
Feature Programming Best WJR-AM American Nightmare:Detroit Foreclosed
Feature Programming Merit WJR-AM Mass Transit For The Motor City
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJR-AM Miracle Child
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WJR-AM Private Eye Convention
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Best WKQI-FM The Best of Mojo In The Morning
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WJR-AM Paul W. Smith Auto World
Midday Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM Frank Beckmann
Midday Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WMXD-FM Frankie Darcell
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM Mitch Albom
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM The Car Show
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WJR-AM The Car Show #2
Sports Best WJR-AM Monday Sports Albom
Sports Merit WWJ-AM Tom Mazawey 6-4-08
Newscast Best WWJ-AM WWJ News 12-19-08
Newscast Merit WJR-AM Newscast 1-24-09
Commercial Best WJR-AM The Law Firm of Woll & Woll
Commercial Merit WJR-AM Michigan Cosmetic Surgery
Community Involvement Best WJR-AM WJR Community Involvement
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WJR-AM Rush Limbaugh
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WJR-AM Dr. Laura

Market 1 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WDIV-TV Mayor Kilpatrick's Plea
Breaking News Story Merit WJBK-TV Kilpatrick Deal Breaks
Investigative Story Best WDIV-TV UAW - Ford: Rescue 4
Investigative Story Merit WJBK-TV Nursing Home Nightmare
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WXYZ-TV Report Sends Mayor To Jail
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WDIV-TV Speed Week
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJBK-TV Thawful
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WWJ-TV Powering Michigan's Future
Weathercast Best WXYZ-TV Winter Storm Weathercast
Weathercast Merit WXYZ-TV 5pm Weathercast 3-24-08
Sports Best WDIV-TV Red Wings: Stanley Cup Champs
Sports Merit WXYZ-TV Don Shane 1-9-08 Sports
Newscast Best WXYZ-TV Action News at 11pm 6-26-08
Newscast Merit WDIV-TV Big 3 - Local 4 News at 5pm
News Special Best WDIV-TV Fuel's Gold
News Special Merit WDIV-TV When Seconds Count
Special Interest Programming Best WWJ-TV Powering Michigan's Future
Special Interest Programming Merit WXYZ-TV From The Heart - 60 Years
Commercial Best WKBD-TV Michigan Catholic Credit Union "Youth Image"
Commercial Merit WWJ-TV House of Bedrooms - Escape
Community Involvement Best WXYZ-TV 7 On Your Side
Community Involvement Merit WDIV-TV Martin Luther King High School Band Olympic Dreams
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WWJ-TV Hey Jim, Drive-Thru Weather Image
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WKBD-TV Contagious Watching Jingle
News Reporter Best WXYZ-TV Bill Spencer
News Reporter Merit WXYZ-TV JoAnne Purtan
Photojournalist Best WDIV-TV John Pompeo
Photojournalist Merit WWJ-TV Paul Pytlowany

Market 2 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Best WOOD-AM Helicopter Crash In Grand Rapids
Breaking News Merit WOOD-AM Earthquake of 2008 Coverage
Investigative Story Best WILS-AM Golf Course Conflict
Feature Programming Best WKZO-AM 590 KZO 6th District U.S. Congressional Debate
Feature Programming Merit WOOD-AM Election Night Live
Feature/Use of Medium Best WOOD-AM News Director Rod Kackley's Interview w/ Rudy Giulliani
Morning Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WQTX-FM Tim Barron Mornings
Morning Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WKZO-AM The Lori Moore Show
Midday Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WKZO-AM The Richard Piet Show
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJIM-AM Michigan Week In Review
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WJIM-AM Health & Wellness Solution with Dr. John Wycoff
Sports Best WKZO-AM 590 KZO Sportscast
Sports Merit WNEM-AM Friday Night Lights
Newscast Best WQTX-FM 8am Newscast 11-11-08
Newscast Merit WQKL-FM WQKL Newscast - Brian Larsen 7-17-08
Commercial Best WVIC-FM You've Got To Be Splinting Me
Commercial Merit WKQZ-FM 6 Shooters - NFL Cowboy
Community Involvement Best WJIM-AM Feed the Children/Mentor Michigan
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WKZO-AM Days Of Our Lions
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WOOD-AM Election Night Live Promo

Market 2 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WOOD-TV Eastown Explosion
Breaking News Story Merit WOOD-TV Summer Storm
Investigative Story Best WJRT-TV Mortgage Fraud Investigation
Investigative Story Merit WJRT-TV Costly Keys
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WZZM-TV Jessica's Story
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WZZM-TV Montague All Access
Feature/Use of Medium Best WXMI-TV The Play
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WJRT-TV Fire Fatigue
Weathercast Best WZZM-TV George Lessens 11/11/08
Weathercast Merit WOOD-TV Plainwell Tornado
Sports Best WXMI-TV Fox Blitz Pre-Game Show
Sports Merit WJRT-TV ABC 12's Highlight Zone
Newscast Best WOOD-TV AeroMed Down
Newscast Merit WZZM-TV GOP Visit at 11pm
News Special Best WOOD-TV Olympic Hopes/Gold Dreams
News Special Merit WJRT-TV Bill's Journey: Beating Prostate Cancer
Special Interest Programming Best WOOD-TV Maranda Where You Live
Special Interest Programming Merit WJRT-TV Holiday Pops with the Flint Symphony Orchestra
Commercial Best WJRT-TV ABC 12 Screening Room
Commercial Merit WJRT-TV ABC 12 On the Go
Community Involvement Best WJRT-TV WJRT In The Community
Community Involvement Merit WZZM-TV WZZM 13 In The Community
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WZZM-TV The Only HD Station
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WZZM-TV Forced Future
News Reporter Best WJRT-TV Josh Devine
News Reporter Merit WJRT-TV Gabe Gutierrez
Photojournalist Best WZZM-TV Jon Mills
Photojournalist Merit WZZM-TV Andy Sugden

Market 3 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WKHM-AM Jackson Harness Raceway Closes
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Best WLEN-FM Steve Barkway - Mornings With Jerry & Steve Sports
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLEN-FM Mornings with Jerry & Steve
Midday Broadcast Personality or Team Best WLEN-FM Dale Gaertner - The Dale Gaertner Show
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Best WLEN-FM Tonya Lightner & Steve Barkway - Phone Calls To Santa
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLEN-FM The Afternoon Show with Tonya Lightner
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WLEN-FM WLEN Sports Broadcast Team - Softball
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLEN-FM Sports Director Steve Barkway - Sports Zone
Play-By-Play Sports Best WQON-FM Grayling High School Football
Play-By-Play Sports Merit WKHM-AM

WKHM High School Basketball

Newscast Best WLEN-FM 5pm Live News: Teen Murders Parents, CBC Expands
Newscast Merit WLEN-FM 5pm Live News Adrian College Title IX & Toledo Crash
Commercial Best WLEN-FM Dr. Lehman Dentistry
Commercial Merit WLEN-FM Legacy Printing Office Equipment Breakdown
Community Involvement Best WLEN-FM WLEN Serves Our Community
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WLEN-FM Phone Calls To Santa
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WLEN-FM Lenawee County - Mission Possible

Market 3 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WILX-TV FRIB Comes to MSU
Breaking News Story Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Grayling Wildfire
Investigative Story Best WLNS-TV Gunzilla
Investigative Story Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Mistaken Identity
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WWTV/WWUP-TV MSP Recruit School
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLNS-TV Tackling Poverty In Michigan
Feature/Use of Medium Best WLNS-TV Ringin' Em Up
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WLNS-TV The Story WIthin The Locker Room
Weathercast Best WLNS-TV Weathercast 6-6-08
Weathercast Merit WILX-TV News 10 at 6pm 12/16/08
Sports Best WLNS-TV 5th Quarter Basketball 2-29-08
Sports Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Sports Overtime Pre-Game
Newscast Best WLNS-TV November 4, 2008 6PM Newscast
Newscast Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV 9 & 10 News at 6 - Rogers City Fire
News Special Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Through The Eyes of Our Fathers: A Northern Michigan WWII Tribute
News Special Merit WLNS-TV Tracking The Storm
Special Interest Programming Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Through The Eyes of Our Fathers: A Northern Michigan WWII Tribute
Special Interest Programming Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Road to 751 Fairfax
Commercial Best WPBN/WTOM-TV The Zone "Freak Show"
Commercial Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV 1/2 Off Eats
Community Involvement Best WLNS-TV WLNS Cares
Community Involvement Merit WILX-TV Food Fight For Hunger
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WLNS-TV March To Glory
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Reporter Insert #3
News Reporter Best WLNS-TV Ann Emmerich
News Reporter Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Ryan Raiche
Photojournalist Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Jason Dotsch
Photojournalist Merit WILX-TV Brian Hirten

Market 4 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Best WKLA-AM 2008 Flood
Breaking News Merit WSJM-AM/FM Collins Indictment
Investigative Story Best WSJM-AM/FM St. Joe Bluff Collapse
Investigative Story Merit WSJM-AM/FM Dream Academy Record
Feature Programming Best WYKX-FM Trails and Tales Outdoor Radio
Feature Programming Merit WSJM-AM/FM Candidate Profiles: 78th District Series
Feature/Use of Medium Best WSJM-AM/FM Guitar Hero Contest
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WSJM-AM/FM Upton's Harbor
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Best WKJC-FM Stump The Chump
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WTVB-AM Delaney In The Morning - Ken Delaney
Afternoon Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WGHN-AM Sports Talk with Ryan Terpstra
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WSJM-AM/FM Live Election Night Coverage
Sports Best WYKX-FM Sports From The Sidelines
Play-By-Play Sports Best WKJC-FM Standish-Sterling vs. Ogeman Heights District Championship
Newscast Best WSJM-AM/FM Morning Drive Newscast
Newscast Merit WSJM-AM/FM WSJM Midday Newscast
Commercial Best WYKX-FM Hands - Jerry Russell Automotive
Commercial Merit WSJM-AM/FM Joys Johns Commercial
Community Involvement Best WKJC-FM Iosco County Relay For Life
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WTVB-AM Detroit Lions Topical Promos

Group 1 - Public Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Best WICA-FM Carlson Family Files Suit
Hard News & Current Events Merit WGVU-AM/FM Urban
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WICA-FM Michigan's Bottom Line
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WICA-FM Homeless Youth
Feature/Use of Medium Best WICA-FM Vowel Shift
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WGVU-AM/FM Horse Triathlon
Newscast Best WUCX-FM State and Local News 9-23-08
Newscast Merit WGVU-AM/FM Newscast 12-24-08 at 5pm
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best WICA-FM Points North: Poverty Forum
News Special or Public Affairs Program Merit WUCX-FM Backstage Explorer 12-18-08
Special Interest and Cultural Programming Best WICA-FM Artforms: December
Special Interest and Cultural Programming Merit WICA-FM Artforms: October
Membership Appeal Best WUCX-FM It Had To Be Q
Membership Appeal Merit WUCX-FM The Q-90.1 Summer Quiet Campaign
Community Involvement Best WUCX-FM The Volunteer Voice
Community Involvement Merit WICA-FM Grand Vision Scorecards
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WUCX-FM Holiday High Tech Guide Seminar
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WGVU-AM/FM Weeknight Jazz Promo

Group 1 - Public TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WGVU-TV Michigan Healthcare: Searching For Solutions
Cultural & Performing Arts Best WGVU-TV Stefon Harris & Friends: African Tarantella
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Best WGVU-TV Battle Creek: Celebrating Flight 2008
News or Public Affairs Special Best WGVU-TV Decision 2008: US Senatorial Debate

Group 2 - Public Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Best WDET-FM Kilpatrick Plea - Live Coverage
Hard News & Current Events Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Dow and Dioxin
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Michigan's Connections to Africa Series
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Foreclosing On The American Dream
Feature/Use of Medium Best WKAR-FM Steam Engine Reunion
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Deep Woods
Newscast Best WDET-FM 4:30pm Newscast 3-24-08
Newscast Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM November 5, 2008 Newscast
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Michigan Radio Special Report: Auto Loans
News Special or Public Affairs Program Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Foreclosing On The American Dream
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WRCJ-FM Symphony Bowl MMVIII
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WKAR-FM Slatkin Takes The Helm
Membership Appeal Best WDET-FM Film Strip
Membership Appeal Merit WDET-FM Shopping
Community Involvement Best WNMU-FM Holiday Readings and Remembrances
Community Involvement Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Election 2008: Impact On Michigan
Marketing Materials and Promos Best WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Sometimes You're Just In A Place
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit WUOM/WFUM/WVGR-FM Understanding Your State

Group 2 - Public TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
News Special or Documentary Best WDCQ-TV Tracks Through Time: Michigan Railroads - History & Impact


Network Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Feature Programming Best Michigan Radio Network Four Part Series on Medical Marijuana
Feature Programming Merit Spartan Sports Network Spartan Profile: "Christmas Memories" 12-20-08
Feature/Use of Medium Best Spartan Sports Network Dodge Michigan State Player of Week 3-3-08
Feature/Use of Medium Merit Michigan Radio Network Anti-Foreclosure Rally
Morning Broadcast Personality Merit Michigan Talk Network Michael Patrick Shiels
Special Show Broadcast Best Spartan Sports Network Mark Dantonio "Michigan Game" 10-23-08
Special Show Broadcast Merit Michigan Talk Network AM Outdoors with Duran Martinez
Sports Best Spartan Sports Network Michigan Sports Brief 12-24-08
Play-By-Play Sports Best Spartan Sports Network MSU 67, Texas 63 12-20-08
Play-By-Play Sports Merit Michigan Talk Network Central Michigan vs Ball State
Newscast Best Michigan Radio Network Newscast September 24, 2008
Marketing Materials and Promos Merit Spartan Sports Network Spartan Sports Network DotCom "2008 Promo"

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

Past winners