2009 Broadcast Excellence Awards
Awarded March 2010


Congratulations 2009 Broadcast Excellence Awards Stations of the Year! – back row (l to r) Steve Schram, Michigan Radio; Michael Walenta, WGVU-TV; Thom Paulson, Interlochen Public Radio; Jeff Collins, WLUC-TV; Mike King, WILX-TV; Frank Beckmann, WJR-AM; front row (l to r) Jim Gifford WSJM-AM/FM, Tonya Lightner, WLEN-FM; Robin Schwartz, WJBK-TV; Diane Kniowski, WOOD-TV; Dan Alpert, WTVS-TV; Lori Moore, WKZO-AM; and Tom Mogush, MAB Chairman of the Board of Directors/WMQT-FM/WZAM-AM.
 
 
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2009 Stations of the Year

Commercial Broadcasting Stations of the Year


TV Market 1 - WJBK-TV, Detroit



Radio Market 1 -- WJR-AM, Detroit







TV Market 2 - WOOD-TV,
Grand Rapids


Radio Market 2 - WKZO-AM, Kalamazoo




TV Market 3 - WILX-TV, Lansing


Radio Market 3 - WLEN-FM, Adrian





TV Market 4 - WLUC-TV, Marquette




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- WTVS-TV, Detroit


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 Cadillac, Jackson, Lansing and Traverse City
 Market 4 Alpena, Escanaba, Marquette 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 I-75 Tanker Explosion
Breaking News Story Merit WJR-AM Car/Train Crash
Investigative Story Best WJR-AM Fighting To Stay Home
Investigative Story Merit WWJ-AM Cold Cases
Feature Programming Best WWJ-AM Jazz Fest
Feature Programming Merit WWJ-AM Making The Grade
Feature/Use of Medium Best WWJ-AM 90 Year Old Biker
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WJR-AM Travel News & Views: Oasis of the Seas
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM Paul W. Smith
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLQV-AM The View From Mars Hill
Midday Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM Frank Beckmann
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM Mitch Albom
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLQV-AM Paul Edwards Program
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WJR-AM The Car Show
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WJR-AM The Handyman Show
Sports Best WJR-AM Monday Sports Albom
Sports Merit WCSX-FM "Sports Carr" on Deminski & Doyle
Newscast Best WWJ-AM July 15th Bill Stevens
Newscast Merit WWJ-AM Jayne Bower/Bill Stevens April 30th
Commercial Best WJR-AM Bishop International Airport
Commercial Merit WWJ-AM Select Michigan/Buy Michigan
Community Involvement Best WJR-AM WJR Community Involvement
Community Involvement Merit WWJ-AM WWJ 2009
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WJR-AM Rush Limbaugh
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WJR-AM Mark Levin

Market 1 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WDIV-TV Detroit Auto Turn Around Plan
Breaking News Story Merit WXYZ-TV Tanker Fire
Investigative Story Best WDIV-TV Sex Coach
Investigative Story Merit WXYZ-TV Lights, Camera, Waste
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WXYZ-TV Play-to-Play TV?
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WXYZ-TV Predator Sting
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJBK-TV D-Dot: End of the Line
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WJBK-TV Tearleaders No More
Weathercast Best WXYZ-TV Noon Weathercast - Sean Ash
Weathercast Merit WJBK-TV Weathercast 12/9/09
Sports Best WJBK-TV Fox 2 Quest For The Cup (Red Wings Post-Game Show)
Sports Merit WXYZ-TV Sports 3-14-09
Newscast Best WJBK-TV Fox 2 News at 5pm 4-15-09
Newscast Merit WJBK-TV Fox 2 News at 10pm 3-30-09
News Special Best WJBK-TV One In One Hundred: Autism Special
News Special Merit WXYZ-TV Spotlight on Michigan Business - MEDC
Special Interest Programming Best WJBK-TV Fox 2 Holiday Connection
Special Interest Programming Merit WXYZ-TV Woodward Dream Cruise
Commercial Best WJBK-TV Your Dating Spot-2009 Campaign
Commercial Merit WXYZ-TV Benjamin Moore Aura Paints
Community Involvement Best WJBK-TV Volunteers of America-Adopt A Family
Community Involvement Merit WDIV-TV WDIV Community Involvement
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WJBK-TV Fox 2 News Morning Expands
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WJBK-TV Fox 2 News Morning-Good Day Campaign
News Reporter Best WXYZ-TV Heather Catallo
News Reporter Merit WJBK-TV Robin Schwartz
Photojournalist Best WJBK-TV Matt Phillips
Photojournalist Merit WKBD-TV Paul Pytlowany

Market 2 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Best WKZO-AM Crash at Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport
Investigative Story Best WOOD-AM JCI Expansion
Investigative Story Merit WJIM-AM "Autism"
Feature Programming Best WKZO-AM Focus-Cash For Clunkers
Feature Programming Merit WOOD-AM Cafe Standards
Feature/Use of Medium Best WBBL-FM Bill Simonson's Interview with Ernie Harwell
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WKZO-AM In Our Genes
Morning Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WITL-FM "Banana Don & Stephanie McCoy In The Morning" 2009
Morning Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WKZO-AM Lori Moore Show
Midday Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WKZO-AM The Richard Piet Show
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Best WBBL-FM The Huge Show
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WKZO-AM Jay Morris Show-Tiger Torture
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WOOD-AM Mouth To Mouth-Veterans Day
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WJIM-AM AM Outdoors with Duran Martinez
Play-By-Play Sports Best WBBL-FM EGR-Football State Championship Game
Play-By-Play Sports Merit WQCX-FM The Rivals-WMU vs. CMU
Newscast Best WKZO-AM Morning News
Newscast Merit WKZO-AM Mid-Morning Newscast
Commercial Best WHMI-FM "Here's Your Pie" Great American Pretzel Company
Commercial Merit WHMI-FM "Wasps Do Not Make Good Pets" Absolute Pest Control
Community Involvement Best WKZO-AM Lori Moore "Holiday Dish to Pass" Cookbook
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WITL-FM WITL Station Promos 2009

Market 2 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WOOD-TV "B93 Flooding"
Breaking News Story Merit WOOD-TV Cedar Springs Fire
Investigative Story Best WOOD-TV "Prison Guards"
Investigative Story Merit WJRT-TV "Trade In, Trade Up"
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WOOD-TV "Troubled Waters"
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WOOD-TV "School Bus Molestation"
Feature/Use of Medium Best WJRT-TV Trojan Tragedy
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WOOD-TV "A Second Chance at Happiness"
Weathercast Best WZZM-TV Weathercast May 5, 2009
Weathercast Merit WOOD-TV "Summer Storm"
Sports Best WOOD-TV "24 Hour News 8 Sports-11/27/09
Sports Merit WOOD-TV "Sports Overtime"
Newscast Best WOOD-TV "Storms and Flooding"
Newscast Merit WOOD-TV "24 Hour News 8 at 11pm"
News Special Best WZZM-TV H1N1 Special
News Special Merit WJRT-TV ABC 12 School Spirit Kickoff
Special Interest Programming Best WOOD-TV Maranda Where You Live-River Bank Run
Special Interest Programming Merit WOOD-TV Maranda Where You Live-Creativity
Commercial Best WJRT-TV Picture Your Weather
Commercial Merit WJRT-TV Airtran Flyaway
Community Involvement Best WOOD-TV "WOOD TV Compilation Community Campaigns"
Community Involvement Merit WWMT-TV Caring For Kids
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WZZM-TV iControl Weather - HD
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WXMI-TV Fox 17 Hard News Tease Campaign
News Reporter Best WJRT-TV Gabe Gutierrez
News Reporter Merit WZZM-TV Sarah Sell
Photojournalist Best WZZM-TV Aaron Russman
Photojournalist Merit WZZM-TV Jon Mills

Market 3 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WKHM-AM Jackson Elects New Mayor
Investigative Story Best WKHM-AM 2009 Election Preview
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Best WLEN-FM Mornings With Jerry & Steve
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLEN-FM Sports Director Steve Barkway-AM Sports
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Best WLEN-FM Tonya Lightner & Steve Barkway - Phone Calls To Santa
Afternoon Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLEN-FM Mike Reynolds 4H-er of the Week
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WKHM-AM Go'c & Ratch
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WLEN-FM WLEN Play-By-Play Team-Hudson State Final
Play-By-Play Sports Best WKHM-AM Lumen Wins State Title
Play-By-Play Sports Merit WQON-FM

Grayling High School Boys Basketball

Newscast Best WLEN-FM News at 5pm-Tim Hernandez
Newscast Merit WLEN-FM News at 8am-Tim Hernandez
Commercial Best WLEN-FM Tecumseh Tire Exchange-Time To Re-tire
Commercial Merit WLEN-FM Lenawee Great Start-Police Chief
Community Involvement Best WLEN-FM WLEN Serves Our Community
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WLEN-FM Thank A Vet/Adopt A Soldier
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WLEN-FM Hometown Hope

Market 3 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WLNS-TV Owosso Double Murder
Breaking News Story Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV December Winter Storm
Investigative Story Best WLNS-TV "The Drunk Story"
Investigative Story Merit WILX-TV Sex Sting
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Medical Marijuana
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLNS-TV Crossing Borders, Changing Lives
Feature/Use of Medium Best WLNS-TV Nolan Moody's Story
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV "Life on James Island"
Weathercast Best WPBN/WTOM-TV Weather-Winterstorm 12-10-09
Weathercast Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Team Weather-Winterstorm 12-9-09
Sports Best WILX-TV News 10 Sports Blitz
Sports Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Sports Overtime Pregame
Newscast Best WWTV/WWUP-TV 9 & 10 News at 6 - Inauguration
Newscast Merit WLNS-TV 6 News at 11 - September 29, 2009
News Special Best WLNS-TV Crimestoppers: Stopping The Crime Since '89
News Special Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Islands of Northern Michigan
Special Interest Programming Best WLNS-TV 25 Years In The Zone
Special Interest Programming Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Islands of Northern Michigan
Commercial Best WSYM-TV Delhi Fire Safety
Commercial Merit WPBN/WTOM-TV Golden Fowler Blockbuster
Community Involvement Best WILX-TV Give a Little, Feed a Lot
Community Involvement Merit WLNS-TV WLNS Cares Community Involvement
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WWTV/WWUP-TV Dime Sales Promo
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WILX-TV Weather Image Interviews
News Reporter Best WILX-TV Lauren Zakalik
News Reporter Merit WLNS-TV Alison Himelhoch
Photojournalist Best WLNS-TV David Parks
Photojournalist Merit WWTV/WWUP-TV Stephanie Adkins

Market 4 - Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Best WSJM-AM/FM South Haven Death Ruled Murder
Breaking News Merit WSJM-AM/FM Inmates On The Run
Investigative Story Best WSJM-AM/FM Benton Harbor City Manager's Business Effect
Investigative Story Merit WSJM-AM/FM Principal Remembers Fallen Soldier
Feature Programming Best WYKX-FM Trails and Tales Outdoor Radio
Feature Programming Merit WKJC-FM WKJC Job Bank
Feature/Use of Medium Best WSJM-AM/FM President Bush in Benton Harbor
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WGHN-AM/FM Stanley Cup to Grand Haven
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Best WGHN-FM Jesse In The Morning-1,000th Show
Morning Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WKJC-FM Kevin Allen Morning Show
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Best WGHN-AM/FM "Grand Haven High School Football Coaches Show"
Special Show Broadcast Personality or Team Merit WGHN-AM/FM High School Game Night
Sports Best WYKX-FM Sports From The Sidelines
Play-By-Play Sports Best WSJM-AM/FM Benton Harbor Wins State Championship
Play-By-Play Sports Merit WTVB-AM "Bronson State Volleyball Championship"
Newscast Best WSJM-AM/FM Morning Newscast
Newscast Merit WSJM-AM/FM Midday Newscast
Commercial Best WYKX-FM "The Wedding Is Off"-Four Seasons Small Engine
Commercial Merit WTVB-AM Earthroots-Image
Community Involvement Best WYKX-FM Can-A-Thon 2009
Community Involvement Merit WSJM-AM/FM WSJM Community Involvement
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WTVB-AM "Good News Campaign"
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WSJM-AM/FM MMMT


Market 4 - TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best WLUC-TV "Black River Falls Fire"
Breaking News Story Merit WBKB-TV Wildfong Fire
Investigative Story Best WLUC-TV Nursing Shortage
Mini-Doc. Or Series Best WBUP-TV A Bump In The Road
Mini-Doc. Or Series Merit WLUC-TV "Saving Our Schools"
Feature/Use of Medium Best WBKB-TV Down Under
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WBKB-TV Toy Shopping
Weathercast Best WBKB-TV Weathercast 11/4/09
Weathercast Merit WLUC-TV "Early News Weathercast"
Sports Best WLUC-TV "Friday Night Fever"
Sports Merit WBUP-TV UGN Late Night Sportscast
Newscast Best WLUC-TV "Late News"
News Special Best WLUC-TV "UP 200"
Special Interest Programming Best WBKB-TV Insights Into Northeast Michigan
Commercial Best WLUC-TV The Bridal Gallery Prom
Commercial Merit WLUC-TV Bay Area Cancer Care "Gerry"
Community Involvement Best WLUC-TV TV 6 Community Involvment
Community Involvement Merit WBUP-TV "Ring Into Spring"
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WBUP-TV Pardon Our Dust
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WLUC-TV The Money Experts
News Reporter Best WLUC-TV Jerry Hume
News Reporter Merit WBUP-TV Michael Hoey-Lukakis
Photojournalist Best WBUP-TV Eli Gardiner
Photojournalist Merit WLUC-TV Jason Swanson

Group 1 - Public Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Best WICA-FM Losing Unemployment Benefits
Hard News & Current Events Merit WICA-FM Deep Injection Wells
Mini-Documentary or Series Best WICA-FM New Farm Finance
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit WGVU-AM/FM La Grand Vitesse
Feature/Use of Medium Best WGVU-AM/FM Safety Seat Law
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WUCX-FM FM Forum-Independent Film in Mid-Michigan
Newscast Best WICA-FM Newscasts - March 6, 2009 7:00am and 7:30am
Newscast Merit WUCX-FM State & Local Newscast
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best WICA-FM Points North: Prescription Drug Abuse
News Special or Public Affairs Program Merit WUCX-FM Backstage Explorer-A Cole Christmas
Special Interest and Cultural Programming Best WUCX-FM FM Forum-The Science of Love
Special Interest and Cultural Programming Merit WNMU-FM Addicted to the Gyil
Membership Appeal Best WUCX-FM Till There Was Q
Membership Appeal Merit WGVU-AM/FM Green Membership
Community Involvement Best WICA-FM Working Stories
Community Involvement Merit WGVU-AM/FM Story Corps West Michigan: Proctor
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WUCX-FM Q-90.1 My Source Campaign
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit WGVU-AM/FM Morning Show Generic Promo

Group 1 - Public TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Story Best WGVU-TV West Michigan Week-Governor Granholm
Hard News & Current Events Story Merit WGVU-TV Paying for College in Michigan
Feature/Use of Medium Best WGVU-TV Battle Creek: Celebrating Flight 2009
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WGVU-TV Grand Valley State Sports Report – Soccer Feature
Cultural & Performing Arts Best WGVU-TV Art Prize: Rebooting The Conversation
Cultural & Performing Arts Merit WDCQ-TV Gift of Music: From Our Family to Yours
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Best WGVU-TV Grand Valley State Sports Report-Soccer Feature
Sports, Outdoor or Recreation Merit WGVU-TV National Lakeshore: A Visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes
News or Public Affairs Special Best WGVU-TV WGVU Newsmakers-Ford Wreath Laying Ceremony
News or Public Affairs Special Merit WDCQ-TV Currently Speaking-Andy Rapp with Clark Hughes & Janie Diels
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WGVU-TV Antiques Roadshow: Behind the Scenes
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Merit WDCQ-TV Second Act: Life at 50+ - Alzheimers Disease/Career Retooling/Senior Athletics
Membership Appeal Best WGVU-TV Pledge: Jen Jelsema (Kids)
Community Involvment Merit WGVU-TV The National Parks Project
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WGVU-TV Art Prize: Rebooting The Conversation Promo
News Special or Documentary Best WDCQ-TV Breaking New Ground: Women of the Saginaw Valley
News Special or Documentary Merit WGVU-TV Art Prize: Rebooting The Conversation

Group 2 - Public Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Best Michigan Radio Overqualified Applicants
Hard News & Current Events Merit Michigan Radio Highland Park Unemployment
Mini-Documentary or Series Best Michigan Radio Facing The Mortgage Crisis
Mini-Documentary or Series Merit Michigan Radio Cody Chronicles
Feature/Use of Medium Best WKAR-FM "Stollak's Swam Song"
Feature/Use of Medium Merit WKAR-FM "Militia Tax Blast"
Newscast Best Michigan Radio Newscast: 12/10/09
Newscast Merit Michigan Radio Newscast: 11/12/09
News Special or Public Affairs Program Best Michigan Radio Remaking Michigan
News Special or Public Affairs Program Merit Michigan Radio Generation Y Michigan
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best Michigan Radio Generation Y Michigan
Membership Appeal Best Michigan Radio Don't Wait For The Senate
Membership Appeal Merit Michigan Radio Facing The Mortgage Crisis
Community Involvement Best Michigan Radio Facing The Mortgage Crisis
Marketing Materials & Promos Best Michigan Radio Facing The Mortgage Crisis
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit Michigan Radio Sounds of the State

Group 2 - Public TV

Category
Place
Station
Title
Hard News & Current Events Best WTVS-TV Facing The Mortgage Crisis
Cultural & Performing Arts Best WTVS-TV Making Music with the DSO
News or Public Affairs Special Best WTVS-TV Freshwater Seas: The Great Lakes
Special Interest & Cultural Programming Best WTVS-TV Think Squad
Community Involvment Best WTVS-TV MiVote
Marketing Materials & Promos Best WTVS-TV DTV Conversion Campaign
News Special or Documentary Best WTVS-TV Detroit Remember When: The Jewish Community


Network Radio

Category
Place
Station
Title
Breaking News Story Best Michigan Radio Network "Gov. Outside Looking In"
Breaking News Story Merit Michigan Radio Network "Film Flap"
Investigative Story Best Michigan Radio Network "Budget Countdown to Shutdown"
Feature Programming Best Spartan Sports Network Dodge Michigan State Player of the Week "Draymond Green"
Feature Programming Merit Spartan Sports Network Coach Talk: Inside the Huddle with Mark Dantonio
Feature/Use of Medium Best Spartan Sports Network The Road to Motown
Feature/Use of Medium Merit Spartan Sports Network This Week in College Football
Morning Broadcast Personality Best Michigan Talk Network "Michael Patrick Shiels In The Morning "
Afternoon Broadcast Personality Best Michigan Talk Network The Huge Show
Special Show Broadcast Best Spartan Sports Network The Tom Izzo Show "Christmas Special"
Special Show Broadcast Merit Michigan Radio Network "Outdoor Magazine"
Sports Best Spartan Sports Network Michigan Sports Brief 2/24/09
Sports Merit Michigan Radio Network "Sportscast 10/29/09"
Play-By-Play Sports Best Spartan Sports Network Michigan State vs. Iowa 10/24/09
Play-By-Play Sports Merit Spartan Sports Network #2 Seed Michigan State vs. #1 Seed Louisville 2009 NCAA Tournament Regional Final Game
Newscast Best Michigan Radio Network "Newscast 11/14/09"
Newscast Merit Michigan Radio Network "Newscast 12/16/09"
Marketing Materials & Promos Merit Michigan Radio Network "Promo For Capitol Pressroom"

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

Past winners