CATEGORIES FOR RADIO AND TELEVISION

BEST NEWSCAST:
A single newscast aired during the Period of Eligibility. Only ONE entry per station. Time limit of 30 minutes (may be scoped)

SPOT NEWS:
Coverage of a breaking news story, covered within a 24 hour period

ENTERPRISE:
Original Reporting that is not generated by a news event or Press Release

FEATURE:
A story aired as relief or contrast to serious reporting

PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
Single program or series showing in-depth coverage of an event or issue. Entries may be “telescoped” and not exceed 30 minutes in length

CONTINUING COVERAGE:
Coverage of an issue or event that continued for more than 24 hours. Entries may not exceed 15 minutes in length

ELECTION COVERAGE:
Sampling of a station’s primary or general election coverage. Entries may not exceed 15 minutes in length

FAITH-BASED PROGRAMMING:
A Program or Feature showcasing religious content-entries may not exceed 15 minutes in length

SPORTS FEATURE:
A feature story other than play-by-play or sportscast

LOCALLY PRODUCED PROGRAM:
An entertainment, public affairs or informational program-length show produced by the station. Entries may be scoped and may not exceed 15 minutes

BEST SPOT: 
An individual commercial, :60 or less that sells a product or service

BEST CAMPAIGN: 
Up to three (3) commercials, :60 or less each, for an individual advertiser

SELF PROMOTION:
An individual spot, :60 or less, designed to promote your station, programming or events, aired on the station it was intended to promote

SELF PROMOTION CAMPAIGN:
Up to three (3) spots, :60 or less each, designed to promote your station, programming or events, aired on the station it was intended to promote

PUBLIC SERVICE: 
A Public Service spot or campaign (sponsored or unsponsored) designed to heighten awareness of  community problem or public issue or to promote a non-profit organization or event. Entry may consist of up to 3 station-produced PSAs and/or up to 10 minutes of airtime from a remote or live or taped broadcast (may be telescoped)

MORNING SHOW OR TEAM:
Maximum 30 minutes of aircheck from one show airing from 5am-10am. Only one (1) entry per team or individual on a team. Stations simulcasting more than 50% must consider themselves as one station for the purposes of entry. Must be local-network or syndicated programming will not be accepted. Recorded comedy bits are OK-and clips from non-local sources. This award will be judged on entertainment value, originality, production value and community engagement

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AWARD:
Each year, the MAB will present the Commitment to Community Award to (1) Radio station and (1) Television station that has gone the extra mile to support and highlight a nonprofit organization, charity or community cause. Each award will carry with it a $500 donation from the MAB to the organization that is the subject of the broadcast. This award will be granted to the First Place Winner of the Public Service Award. Once a station has won the Commitment to Community Award for a particular organization, it will be prohibited from entering the same organization for a period of three years

STATION OF THE YEAR:  
Stations may submit audio and video up to 15 minutes total time and any supporting photos, documents and narrative detailing the station’s programming and community service during the Period of Eligibility. Entries will be judged on overall community service, staff engagement, and comprehensive excellence in programming.

CATEGORIES FOR RADIO ONLY

AIR PERSONALITY:
Maximum 15 minutes of aircheck from one show outside of AM Drive. Only one (1) entry per team or individual on a team. Stations simulcasting more than 50% must consider themselves as one station for the purposes of entry. Must be local-network or syndicated programming will not be accepted. Recorded comedy bits are OK-and clips from non-local sources. This award will be judged on entertainment value, overall flow of show, production value and community engagement

BEST ON-AIR CONTEST:
Entries may consist of up to three (3) promo spots, :60 or less and no more than 5:00 minutes of live broadcast (i.e. contest winner) Entries judged on originality and execution and entertainment value

SPORTS PROGRAM/FEATURE: 
A sports program, such as a highlights show or live broadcast of a sports event. May use network or other non-local clips, but must be produced by the station and hosted/announced by station employees. Entries must be continuous (not edited or scoped) and not exceed 15 minutes

SPORTS PLAY-BY-PLAY: 
A sports program, such as a highlights show or live broadcast of a sports event. May use network or other non-local clips, but must be produced by the station and hosted/announced by station employees. Entries must be continuous (not edited or scoped) and not exceed 15 minutes.

CATEGORIES FOR TELEVISION ONLY 

BEST SPORTSCAST:
A sportscast, as aired within a newscast. Only one entry per station. Must be locally produced and use on-air personnel who are paid employees of the station. For this category, submit only the sportscast segment (not entire news program) Entries may not exceed 10 minutes.

SPORTS PLAY-BY-PLAY or FEATURE: 
A sports program, such as a highlights show or live broadcast of a sports event. May use network or other non-local clips, but must be produced by the station and hosted/announced by station employees. Entries must be continuous (not edited or scoped) and not exceed 15 minutes

BEST WEATHERCAST:
A weathercast, as aired within a newscast. Only one entry per station. Must be locally produced and use on-air personnel who are paid employees of the station. For this category, submit only the weathercast segment (not entire news program) Entries may not exceed 10 minutes.

MULTI-MEDIA JOURNALIST:
A Report or Feature where one journalist is responsible for all aspects of the piece, including writing, filming, editing and reporting

PHOTOJOURNALISM:
A single story, aired within a news program, not longer than 10 minutes.

DIGITAL CATEGORIES

BEST WEBSITE: 
Stations should submit the URL of the Home page of the station’s website. Website may be hosted on a broadcast-network or other third-party server, but must contain at least 50% locally produced content. Sites will be judged based on layout, organization, ease of navigation and usefulness of content. One entry per station.

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA-NEWS FOCUS: 
This award recognizes a station’s use of Twitter, Facebook Instagram and other platforms along with blogs, apps and other tools to inform the public. Criteria includes the frequency and quality of updates, use of station-created content and use of audio and video. Stations should submit a .pdf file, not more than 5 pages, containing a narrative and examples of social media use.

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA-ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS: 
This award recognizes a station’s use of Twitter, Facebook Instagram and other platforms along with blogs, apps and other tools to connect with its audience. Criteria includes the frequency and quality of updates, use of station-created content and use of audio and video. Stations should submit a .pdf file, not more than 5 pages, containing a narrative and examples of social media use.