“Best in Broadcasting” Finalists Named for 2024 Spectrum Awards
Indiana stations submitted more than 300 entries to compete in the Indiana Broadcasters Association 2024 Spectrum Awards for the Best in Broadcasting, recognizing outstanding achievement from August 1, 2023 through July 30, 2024.
Finalists named below are invited to attend the IBA Spectrum Awards event, which will take place on Tuesday, October 15 at The Cabaret in downtown Indianapolis. The special event, which includes a reception, dinner and free parking, takes place at the venue located at 924 North Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis. Admission is $65 per person, and tickets to the special event are available here. Winners in each category will be announced at the evening event, with crystal trophies for winning broadcasters.
Stations competed in a dozen Radio and a dozen TV categories, including new opportunities for recognition as best Radio Play-by-Play and Television Multimedia Journalist of the Year. Both Radio and TV stations were also encouraged to enter a new category that promotes the broadcasting art, itself. In a few categories, our award winners will be obvious (where only a single entry was received.)
Award categories are also grouped by market size. Radio Market 1 includes stations in Indianapolis metropolitan area, Evansville, Fort Wayne, and South Bend. Radio Market 2 is all other stations. For Television, Market 1 is the Indianapolis metropolitan area and TV Market 2 covers the rest of the state.
To Register for the Dinner [CLICK HERE]
And the 2024 Spectrum Awards Finalists are…
New Category: Multimedia Journalist of the Year
Recognizes the hard work of an individual who produces much of his or her own work. A compilation clip of 3-5 events showing applicant’s best work should be submitted. Criteria include creativity, continuity, and technical production. Entries should not be the work of the station’s investigative journalism unit.
TV Market 1
Lauren Kostiuk – WTHR-TV
Matthew Fultz – WTHR-TV
Rich Nye – WTHR -TV
TV Market 2
Annie Kate – WBND-TV
Cody Bailey – WEHT-TV
Ethan Dahlen – WANE-TV
Best Radio and TV Local Community Impact
This category involves only one subject and may be any public service announcement locally produced by the station, a public service activity coordinated by the station, or any form of gratis community outreach that is a public service of the station to serve its local community. Submit any recorded promos along with any supporting promotional materials such as photos of events or website link to highlight the station’s involvement.
Radio Market 1
WIBC-FM – Radiothon for the Salvation Army
WTLC-FM – Black Santa
WUBS-FM
Radio Market 2
WBDC-FM – The Country Showdown
WBWB-FM – The Music Matters Campaign
WMPI-FM – Leap Day 2024
TV Market 1
WISH-TV – Mozel Sanders
WISH-TV – Golden Apple Award
WRTV-TV – Toy Drive
TV Market 2
WBND-TV – 57 Minute Miracle
WNDU-TV – Toys for Tots
WTWO-TV – Larry Bird Music Live
Best Radio Newscast
Best locally originated newscast. Criteria: presentation, production values, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the full newscast.
Radio Market 1
WTRC-FM – Jon Zimney and Laura Smith 3-28-24
WTRC-FM – Jon Zimney and Laura Smith 6-17-24
WTRC-FM – Tommie Lee 7-16-24
Radio Market 2
WJOB-FM – News Now
WLBC-FM – Morning Report July 23
WRBI-FM
Best Television News Feature
A single report that aired in a newscast as relief or contrast to other news reporting, or a long form program. Criteria: Shot in Indiana on an Indiana subject; human interest subject portrayal, creative writing, entertainment value, effective use of medium with audio, video, and editing.
TV Market 1
WRTV-TV – Mass Ave. Piano Guy is Pushing His Potential
WRTV-TV – More Than Just Boxing
WTHR-TV – The Wait
TV Market 2
WANE-TV – Honoring Erin: 30 Years of Healing Hearts
WBND-TV – Matt Reum’s Healing Purpose
WSBT-TV – Operation Education United Music
Best Radio General News Story
Designed to honor the work of a general assignment reporter, this includes coverage of a single news story, gathered and aired in the same day. This category does not include spot news, investigative, or feature stories.
Radio Market 1
WIBC-FM – Kamala Harris in Indianapolis
WIKY-FM – Armed Standoff in Princeton
WIKY-FM – Ohio County Plane Crash
Radio Market 2
WBDC-FM – The Country Showdown
WMUN-AM/FM – Muncie Shooting Update
WBST-FM – Selma Tornado Damage
Best TV General News Story
Coverage of a single news story, gathered and aired in the same day. Does not include spot news, investigative or feature stories. Designed to honor the work of a general assignment reporter and photographer.
TV Market 1
WRTV-TV – Indiana Kids Find Forever Homes
WRTV-TV – Women and Grandson Survive Storm
WTHR-TV – Winter Storm
TV Market 2
WEHT-TV – Kayakers Rescue
WNDU-TV – Smith Six Funeral
WNDU-TV – South Shore Double Track
Best Election Coverage (November 2023 and May 2024)
Entries may include a single story or collection of stories related to coverage of local, state or national political races or issues during the campaign cycle. Content must have been generated to inform about the November 2023 and/or May 2024 elections.
Radio Market 1
WIBC-FM – Primary Night 2024
Radio Market 2
WKVI-FM – Election Information for Voters
TV Market 1
WTHR-TV – Election Coverage
WTHR-TV – Decision 2023: The Community Issues
TV Market 2
WANE-TV – Stormy Primary
WANE-TV – Two Toms
WTWO-TV – The Terre Haute Mayoral Debate
Best Radio and TV News Investigative Reporting
Coverage of a single story or series of stories that required in-depth, original research and discovers new findings to enhance the public’s understanding of an issue or event.
Radio Market 1
WIBC-FM – A Year of Struggle for Hoosier Police
WOWO-FM – FWPD’s Deputy Chief Silently Demoted Kayla Blakeslee
Radio Market 2
WBDC-FM – Differently Able
WQLK-HD2 – Wernle Youth Services Downfall
WBST-FM – Indiana Suing an Apartment Owner
TV Market 1
WRTV-TV – Repeat Drunk Driver Avoids Repercussions
WTHR-TV – High Stakes
WTHR-TV – Officer’s Troubled Past
TV Market 2
WBND-TV – Judicial Misconduct
WSBT-TV – Chasing Transparency
WSBT-TV – Operation Education Chronic Absenteeism
Best Radio and TV Commercials
A single commercial that persuades the listener/viewer to do or believe something about the client or product. This may be any commercial announcement written and produced by station personnel. May not include announcements produced with outside advertising or production agency assistance or direction.
Radio Market 1
WIBC-HD2 – Flying Squirrel Axe Throwing – Epic
WLHK-FM – Flying Squirrel Axe Throwing – Wrong Number
WSTO-FM – Azzip Pizza Hot Lil’ Clucker
Radio Market 2
WFMG-FM – A+ Signs – Bad Sign Zone
WFMG-FM – Black Dog Printing
WQLK-FM – Duty Calls Plumbing
TV Market 1
WISH-TV – Complete Comfort
WISH-TV – LCS Heating and Cooling: Deals to the Moon
WISH-TV – OneWatch
TV Market 2
WEHT-TV – Lawman Tactical
WTWO-TV – Bobcat of Davies County
WTWO-TV – I am Sullivan
Best Radio Sports Show or Sports Story
Best locally-originated regularly scheduled sports show or sports story segment. Criteria: presentation, production values, and variety of stories presented.
Radio Market 1
WIBC-HD2 – Query & Company
WXNT-AM – Indy’s Sports Ticket Welcomes Dan Dakich
Radio Market 2
WITZ-FM – Senior Pitching with Extra Purpose
WMUN-AM/FM – Wapahani Radio Show Open
WKVI-FM – The Saturday Sports Line
Best TV Sports Show
Best locally originated regularly scheduled sportscast of a weekly sports program, Friday night high school show or Sunday night weekly wrap-up show. Criteria: presentation, production values, and variety of stories presented.
Best Sports Show: TV Market 1
WISH-TV – WISH-TV The Zone
Best Sports Show: TV Market 2
WANE-TV – Abels Ascends for Twin
WBND-TV – ABC57 Kickoff: Live in Ireland
WEHT-TV – Home Team Friday 2023
New Category: Best Radio Local Sports Play-by-Play Coverage
Best locally originated play-by-play coverage of high school sports broadcast.
Radio Market 1
WKJG-FM – High School Hockey Night Overtime Thriller
WNDE-AM – Cathedral Football Sectional Championship
WTRC-FM – High School Hockey Night Mike Gallo and Andy Petrie
Radio Market 2
WHBU-AM – Lapel 4th Quarter Regional Game
WITZ-FM – Bombers Rally for Late Lead
WITZ-FM – RBI Double for Dubois County
New Category: Best “Pro-Radio” Industry Imaging Award
Entries effectively promote and highlight the power of radio as a valuable and impactful marketing medium. Entries should showcase the unique “pro-radio” advantages and strengths of radio advertising, emphasizing its ability to reach and engage audiences in a meaningful and effective way. This accolade recognizes the outstanding efforts of radio stations in reinforcing the vital role of radio as a potent tool for driving marketing success and connecting businesses with their target audiences.
Radio Market 1
WAOR-FM
WIKY-FM – The Power of Radio
WRBR-FM
Radio Market 2
WLQI-FM – Trust Radio
WMGI-FM – Is Radio Dead?
WMUN-AM/FM – AM Radio: A Beacon of Hope
New Category: Best “Pro-Television” Industry Imaging Award
Entries celebrate a television station that embodies the values of promoting television as a powerful and effective marketing medium. This award recognizes the station’s commitment to crafting original and impactful “pro-TV” messages that highlight the unique advantages of television advertising. The recipient of this award demonstrates a dedication to advancing the industry and advocating for the continued relevance and success of television as a crucial platform for marketing and communication.
TV Market 1
WISH-TV – BEO Show: Industry Focus
Best TV Weather Coverage
A locally originated, regularly scheduled weather broadcast. Criteria includes: clear presentation of facts, delivery/communication skills, and effective use of available technology to enhance audience understanding.
TV Market 1
WISH-TV – Storm Track 8 Weather
WTHR-TV – The Great American Eclipse
WTHR-TV – Spring Tornadoes
TV Market 2
WANE-TV – Winter Outlook
WEHT-TV – July 9th Tornado
WNDU-TV – First Alert Weather Day
Best Radio and TV Station Promotional Campaign
Best promotional campaigns created by Indiana radio and TV stations.
Radio Market 1
WABX-FM – Rock Your Ride
WIKY-FM – Word Contest
WZPL-FM – Swiftie Swindler
Radio Market 2
WKOA-FM – K-105 Cash Pot
WMXQ-FM – MAX 12 Guitars of Christmas
WRSW-FM – Put Your Mark on 75 Years!
TV Market 1
WTTV-TV – CBS4: We know Indy
WXIN/WTTV-TV – Colts on Fox59 and CBS4
WXIN/WTTV-TV – Full Throttle May
TV Market 2
WBND-TV – This is Michiana
WTWO-TV – A Mother’s Fight for Justice
WTWO-TV – Sports in the Valley
Best Radio Broadcast Personality or Team
Audio samples of on-air work from an individual or a group of people for news, entertainment, or sports – but not sports play-by-play.
Radio Market 1
WGBF-FM – Kat Mykals
WLDE-FM – Jim, Carrie & Angie
WLKH-FM – Annie and Cole
Radio Market 2
WERK-FM – At WERK with Zach
WERK-FM – Start Your Day with Jay
WQLK-FM – KICKS Morning Crew with Sean and Dave
Indiana Radio Station of the Year
Audio examples highlight the station’s overall efforts during the year in community service, creative listener and sales promotions, quality commercial production, talk show, news and features. A written, one-page summary should accompany the audio submission and explain why the station deserves this prestigious award.
Radio Market 2
WBDC-FM
WERK-FM
WQLK-FM
Radio Market 1
WFMS-FM
WIKY-FM
WZPL-FM
Indiana TV Station of the Year
A submission highlighting the station’s overall efforts during the year in community service, creative viewer and sales promotions, quality commercial productions, talk shows, news and features. A written, one-page summary should accompany the submission and explain why the station deserves this prestigious award.
TV Market 2
WEHT-TV
WNDU-TV
WTWO-TV
TV Market 1
WRTV-TV
WTHR-TV
WXIN-TV
To Register for the Dinner [CLICK HERE]
