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 edits is permitted to bring longer program entries to the stated entry time.  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 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 segments 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.    Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.

2. Newscast/Evening

For excellence by news director or executive producer, producer and anchor(s) in any regularly scheduled newscast of 30 minutes length or longer which aired between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006. Entries should not exceed one hour.

3. Newscast/Daytime

For excellence by news director or executive producer, producer, and anchor(s)/on-camera persons, in any regularly scheduled newscast of 30 minutes or longer which aired between the hours of 5 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006. Entries should not exceed one hour.

4. Newscast/Weekend

For excellence by news director or executive producer, producer, and anchor(s)/on-camera persons, in any regularly scheduled newscast of 30 minutes or longer which aired between the hours of 12 Midnight Friday and 12 Midnight Sunday between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006. Entries should not exceed one hour.

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.

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.

7. General Assignment Report

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

8. Continuing Coverage

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 area.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

 9. Feature Story

10. Feature Series

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

11. Human Interest Story

12. Human Interest Series
For excellence in coverage of stories that appeal to the human spirit. Time limit 10 minutes or two complete reports, if longer.

13. 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). 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.  Time limit 30 minutes.

14. Business/Consumer Report

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

15. Specialty Assignment Report

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

16. 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.

17. 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 or two complete reports, if longer.

18. Sports Segment

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

19. 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.  Enter 30 minutes of complete program or series compilation not to exceed 30 minutes.  (A maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer programs to the time limit).

20. 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.

21. 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 or two complete reports, if longer

22. 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 30 minutes duration.  Time limit 60 minutes.

23. 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 30 minutes duration.  Time limit 60 minutes.

24. 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 30 minutes duration. Time limit 60 minutes..

25. Arts/Entertainment  (excluding magazine programs)

For excellence in a regularly scheduled program or special that focuses on general entertainment, variety or performing arts.  Series entries accepted.  Enter 30 minutes of complete program or series compilation not to exceed 30 minutes.

26. Magazine

For excellence in a regularly scheduled program or special consisting of various segments of local interest designed to entertain and inform.  Time limit 30 minutes

27. 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 30 minutes of complete program or series compilation not to exceed 30 minutes.

28. 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.  Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.

29. Service Program (Informational/Instructional)

For excellence in presentation of stories whose prime purpose is to be instructional; to teach formally or informally about a subject or subjects.  Enter 30 minutes of complete program or series compilation not to exceed 30 minutes.

30. 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.

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

32. 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.  Time limit 30 minutes.  (A maximum of three edits is permitted to bring longer programs to the time limit.)

33.  Interactivity

For excellence by person(s) most responsible for interactivity between programming and the viewing public to extend content beyond what is included in programming.  This may include (but is not limited to) webpages that provide the viewing public additional access to information or means to comment about programming, instant web polls, webcasts and moderated Internet chats.  The entries may also include interactivity not reliant on internet access, i.e. live-to-tape phone responses, man-on-the-street kiosk recorders.  Submission to consist of a video presentation of the interactivity, the address of any webpage, sample text of moderated internet chat (if appropriate) and a written description of no more than 200 words.  Entries not to exceed 15 minutes.  May be submitted on CD or DVD-R.

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.  For a campaign, a minimum of two, and a maximum of three spots may be entered.

34. PSA Spot

35. PSA Campaign

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

36. Promotional Spot/News

37. 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.

38. Promotional Spot/Program

39. Promotional Campaign/Program
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.

40. Commercial Spot

41. 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.

INDIVIDUAL CRAFTS

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.  Submit a single example of the craft or a composite of material as originally broadcast.  Limit 15 minutes.  While craft entrants may submit more than one entry per craft discipline, only one of those entries may be a composite.  Craft awards are intended for hands-on craftpersons, not those that supervise craftpersons.

42. Animation

43. Audio

44. Director/News
45. Director/Program
46. Director//Short Form

47. Editor/News
48. Editor/Program

49. Editor/Short Form

50. Graphic Arts

51. Lighting

52. Music Composer-Arranger

53. Photography/News
54. Photography/Program

55. Photography/Short Form

56. Set Designer

57. 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.  Entry limited to 30 minutes. 

58. Writer/News
59. Writer/Program

60. Writer/Short Form