PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES:

Program entries may be entered in only one programming category.  In programming categories, an entry is defined as a single program or segment or, in the case of news, one story or a series of stories directly related to each other. A maximum of three segments/lifts is permitted to bring longer program entries to the required time limit. One award, more than one award, or no award (except where noted) may be given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the news program, segment or coverage.  Anchors, reporters, photographers, editors, assignment editors, hosts, directors and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness.  For any entry designated as a series, a minimum of two reports must be included. 

1. News Excellence

A statuette is awarded to the news director of the station or stations which, in the opinion of the judges, displayed an outstanding overall news operation during the eligibility period. Entries should present as many different activities as possible, including, but not limited to: enterprise in general assignment reporting, breaking news coverage, specialty and beat reporting, series, documentaries, continuing coverage of community issues, editorials/commentaries, etc., or other factors which you wish to call to the attention of the judges. Judges will stress quality and breadth of a station's news operation, substance rather than style, and the station's performance in sustaining excellence throughout the year. The composite entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired.  No introductions, post production, music or special effects may be added.  Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis.    Time Limit: 60 minutes.

(See Also – Category 68 Advanced Media News Programming)

2. Newscast/Evening

For excellence by news director or executive producer, producer and anchor(s) in any regularly scheduled newscast of half-hour or longer which aired between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009

Time Limit: 60 Minutes

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

3. Newscast/Daytime

For excellence by news director or executive producer, producer, and anchor(s)/on-camera persons, in any regularly scheduled newscast of half-hour or longer which aired between the hours of 5 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009

Time Limit: 60 Minutes

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

4. Newscast/Weekend

For excellence by news director or executive producer, producer, and anchor(s)/on-camera persons, in any regularly scheduled newscast of half-hour or longer which aired between the hours of 12 Midnight Friday and 12 Midnight Sunday between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009.

Time Limit:  60 Minutes

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

5. Spot News

For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event that is shot edited and produced within 24 hours on a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry may include multiple lived and/or taped elements. Elements of a related Breaking News entry may be included in a Spot News entry but not in their entirety.  Time Limit: Limited to a single report.

Regional winners in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a plaque in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Spot News.

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

6. Breaking News

For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event that is aired simultaneously with the news event being covered and aired either within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry may include multiple live or taped elements. Time limit: 15 minutes.

Regional winners in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a plaque in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Spot News.

(See Also – Category 70 Advanced Media Breaking News)

7. General Assignment Report - Within 24 Hours

For excellence in coverage of a single or multi-part story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast or newscasts which is assigned, shot, edited and aired within a 24-hour period. Entry may include live and/or taped elements. Time limit: 10 minutes.

8. General Assignment Report - No Time Limit
For excellence in coverage of a single or multi-part story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast or newscasts, which has no time limit for its preparation. Entry may include live and/or taped elements. Stories and topics covered must be of a Hard News character and be an assigned report that would not be considered a Feature or Special Report (to be entered elsewhere). Time limit: 10 minutes
(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

 

9. Continuing Coverage -Within 24 Hours - All reports included are from one news story and all aired within a 24-hour period.

10. Continuing Coverage -No Time Limit - At least three segments should be entered to show the overall coverage of one news story over a  longer period of time.
 For excellence in coverage of a single news story over an extended number of reports. Entries will be

judged in part on story advancement and should be entered as a composite. Elements may include

segments from within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast.  A stand-alone segment from this

composite may be entered in one other category.  Time limit: 30 minutes
 (See Also – Category 70 Advanced Media Breaking News/Continuing Coverage)

11.  Serious Feature News Report

12.  Serious Feature News Series

13.  Light Feature News Report

14.  Light Feature News Series

For excellence in reporting of a single or multi-part feature news story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast.  Time limit 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer for series.

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

 

15. Investigative Report

For excellence in reporting of a community problem requiring research and investigative journalism, aired within a regularly scheduled newscast.  Entry will be judged on the quality and extent of research, the presentation, and the impact of the reporting.  Written documentation is required (100-word limit). Time limit 30 minutes.

Regional winners, at their discretion, are eligible to compete for a plaque in the National News & Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Investigative Reporting. 

(See Also – Category 71 Advanced Media Investigative Report)

 

16. Business/Consumer Report

For excellence in coverage of business, finance or consumer topics.  Time limit 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer.

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

 

17. Specialty Assignment Report

For excellence in coverage of special interest information. Time limit 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer.

(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

 

18. Journalistic Enterprice – Within 24 Hours

19. Journalistic Enterprise – No Time Limit

For excellence in the continuing endeavor of high journalistic enterprise, which may include investigative pieces, breaking news, features, profiles, interviews, documentaries, etc. Composite entry may include a maximum of 5 different stories. The airdate and length of each story must be submitted with the entry.  Time limit: 30 minutes.

 (See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

 

20. News Special

For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only, significant, newsworthy event, occasion or topic aired outside any regularly scheduled news program.  Subject should be an in-depth treatment of current topic.  Time limit 60 minutes.
(See Also – Category 69 Advanced Media News Programming)

 

21. Sportscast

For excellence in coverage of sports in general, sports related topics or subject matter within a regularly scheduled news program.  Time limit 10 minutes.

(See Also – Category 73 Advanced Media Sports)

 

22. Sports Segment

For excellence in coverage of sports in general, sports related topics or subject matter.  Time limit 10 minutes.

(See Also – Category 73 Advanced Media Sports)

 

23. Sports Programs and Series

For excellence in a regularly scheduled daily or weekly sports program, or for coverage of a one-time-only sports event (not sporting game or play-by-play) or sports series.  Entry may be live or taped.  Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a regularly scheduled newscast.  Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event.  Entry may have no post edits except for the removal of commercials.  Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc.  A maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer programs to the time limit. Enter complete program or series compilation  Time Limit 30 minutes

(See Also – Category 73 Advanced Media Sports)

 

24. Sports Event/Game – Live/Unedited

For excellence in production of a single program or series, live or live-to-tape sports event or game.  A composite is required and must include examples of:  Show Open, Graphics Package, Use of Replays, Inserted Pre-Produced Segments, Use of Statistical or Other Prepared Material, Highlights, Standard Coverage (e.g. Routine Innings or Downs) and any additional material at entrant’s discretion.  Time limit 30 minutes.

(See Also – Category 73 Advanced Media Sports)

 

25. Weathercast

For excellence in coverage of weather in general, weather related topics or subject matter within a regularly scheduled news program. Time limit 10 minutes

(See also Category 65 Weather – Continuing Coverage)

26. Documentary – Cultural

For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured television presentation of in-depth coverage of a substantive topic in the areas of the arts, sciences, or the humanities, during a single program of at least half-hour duration.  Time limit 60 minutes.

(See Also – Category 75 Advanced Media Documentary)

 

27. Documentary - Historical

For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured television presentation of.in-depth coverage of a substantive historical topic during a single program of at least half-hour duration.  Time limit 60 minutes.

(See Also – Category 75 Advanced Media Documentary)

28. Documentary – Topical

For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured television presentation of.in-depth coverage of a substantive topic in the areas of current issues, topical events, or subject matter which includes social and political issues of the day, during a single program of at least half-hour duration. Time limit 60 minutes.

(See Also – Category 75 Advanced Media Documentary)

29. Historic/Cultural Program/Special

For excellence in a regularly scheduled program or special that focuses on historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics. Series entries accepted.  Time limit: 30 minutes. 

 

30. Arts (excluding magazine programs)

For excellence in a segment, program or special that focuses on visual or performing arts.  Enter segment, complete program or series compilation.  Time Limit 30 minutes.

(See Also – Category 74 Advanced Media Arts / Entertainment)

 

31. Entertainment (excluding magazine programs)

For excellence in a segment, program or special that focuses on general entertainment.  Enter segment, complete program or series compilation.  Time Limit 30 minutes.

(See Also – Category 74 Advanced Media Arts / Entertainment)

32. Magazine Program/Special

33. Magazine Series

For excellence in a program consisting of various segments of local interest designed to entertain and inform.  Enter complete program or series compilation. Time limit 30 minutes

 

34. Public Affairs

For excellence in a regularly scheduled program or special that focuses on current issues of societal concerns, social ills, community or general public interest.  Enter complete program or series compilation. Time Limit 30 minutes.

(See Also – Category 72 Advanced Media Public/Current/Community Affairs )

35. Community Service

For excellence by executive producer (if directly involved), and/or producer in programming, whether news or non-news, involving the entire station in a continuing effort to focus interest on, and marshal support for, a worthy community cause. Emphasis should be given to the depth, breadth and duration of the station effort. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis.  Time Limit 60 minutes.

(See Also – Category 72 Advanced Media Public/Current/Community Affairs )

36. Informational/Instructional Program/Special

37. Informational/Instructional Series

For excellence in presentation of stories whose prime purpose is to be instructional; to teach formally or informally about a subject or subjects.  Enter complete program or series compilation. Time limit: 30 minutes. 

 

38. Children's Programs

For excellence by executive producer (if directly involved), producer and/or host(s) in a program or series specifically designed for children. Time Limit 30 minutes

 

39. Special Event Coverage - Live (other than News or Sports)

40. Special Event Coverage – Edited (other than News or Sports)

For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only, anticipated community or entertainment event.  Program may include multi-cameras and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event.  Live entries should include at least 70% live material. A maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer programs to the time limit. Time limit 30 minutes.

 

SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the promotion or commercial.  Entries must be locally conceived, produced and aired.  Spots that contain more than 50% of network or syndicator-provided material do not qualify.  Music, graphics and pre-edited video constitute such material. Spots may be 5-seconds to 2-minutes in length.  Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.  If a campaign is entered, a minimum of two, or a maximum of three spots may be included.

 

41. PSA Spot

42. PSA Campaign

For excellence in announcements that effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes.

 

43. Promotional Spot/News

44. Promotional Campaign/News

For excellence in announcements that promote a news image, a specific story, stories or series, including sports, weather and/or franchise stories.  This includes promos for news specials, breaking weather, sports specials, etc.

45. Promotional Spot/Programs (Non-News)

46. Promotional Campaign/Programs (Non-New
For excellence in announcements that promote non-news station programming.  This includes spots promoting a broader station image as well as locally produced spots for network and/or syndicated programming.

 

47. Commercial Spot

48. Commercial Campaign

For excellence in commercial production advertising a product, business or service that is conceived, written, created and produced in and for the local market.  Spots may be between: 05 and 2:00 in length.  Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.

(See Also – Category 77 Advanced Media Commercial)

 

CRAFTS ACHIEVEMENT:

One award, more than one award, or no award is given for excellence in a specific television discipline demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals.  Craft awards are intended for hands-on craftpersons, not those who supervise craftpersons. Entries may contain a single example of the craft or a composite of material as originally broadcast.   A composite is defined as a sampling of three or more representative segments or elements that convey to a judging panel the scope, breadth, or range of an individual’s talents or of coverage of a special event. The elements within a composite, unless otherwise noted, are to be “as aired” with no internal edits or post production work, such as music or special effects. Unless otherwise noted, a straight lift from a long work may be included as an element of a composite, but there must be no editing of the lift. Time limit: 15 minutes.

 

49. Animation
(See Also – Category 78 Advanced Media Animator / Motion Graphic Designer)

50. Audio

51. Director/News
52. Director/Programs (Non-News)
53. Director//Short Form (PSA/Promo/Commercial)

54. Editor/News
55. Editor/Programs (Non-News)

56. Editor/Short Form (PSA/Promo/Commercial)

(See Also – Category 80 Advanced Media Video Editor)

 

57. Graphic Arts
(See Also – Category 78 Advanced Media Animator / Motion Graphic Designer)

58. Lighting

59. Music Composer-Arranger

60. Photography/News
61. Photography/Program (Non-News)

62. Photography/Short Form (PSA/Promo/Commercial)

(See Also – Category 79 Advanced Media Photographer)

 

63. Set Designer

64. Technical Achievement

Technical Achievement recognizes excellence in technical engineering and might include: oversight in the coverage of a special event, specific technical innovation that enhances viewer experience or a technical success story that is so unique and noteworthy as to warrant special honor and recognition.  Entry should include a one-page synopsis detailing specific objectives and challenges that were overcome as a result of the technical achievement.  Time Limit 30 minutes

65. Weather – Continuing Coverage

 

66. Writer/News
67. Writer/Programs (Non-News)

68. Writer/Short Form (PSA/Promo/Commercial)

(See Also – Category 81 Advanced Media Writer / Producer)

 

ADVANCED MEDIA:

Outstanding Achievement in Content for Broadband and Portable Delivery

One award, more than one award, or no award may be given to the person(s) directly responsible for the content and execution of the program or segment. Content directors, managing editors, writers, editors, graphic artists, video editors, directors, photographers, hosts, moderators, anchors, reporters, assignment editors and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness.

Advanced Media entries that can be seen worldwide via web or portable delivery are eligible for regional competition if they were primarily intended for consumption in the Chapter’s designated awards area. Entries must be original work designed for broadband distribution or portable delivery, and must be submitted as originally posted.

Pre-purposed or re-purposed material originally produced for traditional media is not eligible. If such material is included in the entry, the producer(s) must provide evidence that the broadband product is not merely a copy of the otherwise produced programming. Awards will be given in recognition of editorial content and video production creativity in original material intended for a regional audience and created primarily for consumption on non-traditional viewing platforms such as computers, mobile phones, PDAs and similar devices. Judges will give significant weight to the entrant’s utilization of advanced media capabilities, (i.e. interactivity, and viewers’ choice of images), when determining award-worthy entries.

Examples of potential submissions may be (but not limited to) vodcasts, podcasts, webcasts, video blogs, web-site programs including journalistic reporting, event coverage or event analysis, mobisodes, video-on-demand content and any other form of material delivered over an IP network or platform like wireless, broadband or VOD. Re-purposed material from television or cablecast programs is not eligible.

Enter up to 15 minutes of complete program or compilation not to exceed 15 minutes.

 

69.  Advanced Media News Programming

For excellence in coverage of news in general, news related topics or subject matter.

 

70.  Advanced Media Breaking News/Continuing Coverage

For excellence in coverage of a single unanticipated news event that is streamed simultaneously with the news event being covered. Entry may include multiple live or taped elements. Or, for coverage of a single news story over an extended number of reports. Entries will be judged in part on story advancement and should be entered as a composite. A stand-alone segment from this composite may be entered in one other category.

 

71.  Advanced Media Investigative Report

For excellence in reporting of a community problem requiring research and investigative journalism, aired within a newscast.  Entry will be judged on the quality and extent of research, the presentation, and the impact of the reporting.  Written documentation is required (100-word limit)

 

72.  Advanced Media Public/Current/Community Affairs

For excellence in a coverage of current issues of societal concerns, social ills, community or general public interest.

 

73.  Advanced Media Sports

For excellence in coverage of sports in general, sports related topics or subject matter.

 

74. Advanced Media Arts / Entertainment

For excellence in coverage of general entertainment, variety or performing arts.

 

75.  Advanced Media Documentary

For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured presentation with dramatic impact of an event, condition or situation of current, cultural and/or historical significance; or coverage of subjects that emphasize historical, cultural or ethnic issues or topics. 

 

76.  Advanced Media Interactivity

For excellence in the creation of an interactive media effort that extends the reach and content delivery of a program created primarily for consumption on non-traditional viewing platforms, including but not limited to, live over-the air broadcasts or cablecasts, video sharing, video blogs, discussion boards, online forums, instant web polls, live-to-tape telephone responses, man on the street kiosk recorders and other media.  This is NOT an award for “best website,” but may include the use of a website in a program.  The combination of these content-enhancing extensions must demonstrably engage the viewer synchronously or in a manner that is integral to the content of the associated program.  Submission must include a video presentation of the original program AND synchronous media IF the appearance and value of such is not obvious during the program.  If the judging panel can benefit by visiting a website that will be current and relevant during the judging period, provide an appropriate web address.  If the appropriate web site is not available during the judging period, the entry must include a video clip that represents its significant contribution to the interactive program.  The entry may be accompanied by a written description of no more than 200 words explaining the enriching media experience of the interactive media effort.

 

77. Advanced Media Commercial

For excellence in commercial production advertising a product, business, political campaign, or service.  Spots may be  5-seconds to 5-minutes in length.  Entries must be locally conceived, produced and posted.  Spots that contain more than 50% of network or syndicator-provided material do not qualify.  Music, graphics and pre-edited video constitute such material.  Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.

 

78.  Advanced Media Animator / Motion Graphic Designer 

 

79.  Advanced Media Photographer

 

80.  Advanced Media Video Editor 

 

81.  Advanced Media Writer / Producer

 

 

Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards
ENTRY DISC LABELING INFORMATION

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Send two copies of each entry DVD-R