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PAB Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting

2026 Competition

Awards Info

PAB would like to invite you to participate in the 2026 Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting competition.   

The deadline for entries is NOON, JANUARY 12, 2026.  The site will close at 12:01pm so be sure to get your entries in on time!  All entries must be submitted online, and we ask that you do not wait until the last minute to enter. 

All entries must have aired between January 2, 2025 – January 5, 2026.

Before you begin the entry process, please read the following:

In order to accommodate stations with multiple entries who would like to only pay one time, you are required to pay for your entries first; once the payment process is complete you will be directed to the submission page.  You, or the person who is paying, will be asked to enter the username and password that was used last year.  If you did not enter the competition last year, you will be asked to create an account.  If a station submits 20 entries, the same username and password is used for all 20 entries so please be sure the person who pays for the entries shares the username and password with all others wanting to enter the contest from your station.

Also – if you are paying by check, please be aware that there will be a delay in the actual entry process until your check payment can be approved.  All check payments must be received by the deadline; any entry that is not paid for in advance will not be forwarded to the judges for consideration.

I look forward to receiving your entries. If you have any questions or need any help with submitting, please contact Gail Ponti 717-571-0376 or gponti@pab.org.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The entry submission deadline is
JANUARY 12, 2026 12:00 PM

Entry fee for all color groups in both radio and television is $40.00 per entry.

Production and broadcasts must have occurred between January 2, 2025, and January 5, 2026.

FORMAT FOR ENTRIES

  • For radio, you will need either an mp3 file or a link to the entry on a publicly accessible website like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Google Drive, etc.
  • For television, you will need a link to the entry on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
  • Please be sure entries are NOT password protected.
  • All entries that require a one-page narrative must be in PDF format.
  • Please be mindful of entry time limits.
  • Deadline to enter is noon on January 12, 2026. The awards site automatically closes at 12:01pm so please do not wait until the very last minute to enter.
  • If you run into problems or have any questions, please contact Gail Ponti gponti@pab.org or 717-571-0376 (cell).

The entry submission deadline is JANUARY 12, 2026 12:00 PM

Click here to read the "How To Enter" guide

GET STARTED NOW!

Enter Radio Awards Enter TV Awards

Radio Awards Categories

CATEGORY R-1: Radio Use of Digital Media This category honors radio stations that amplify their impact through digital platforms and strategic campaigns. Show how your station reimagines radio for today’s audience - engaging listeners, telling compelling stories, and extending your brand beyond the airwaves. Entries will be judged on innovation, presentation, creativity, and journalistic excellence. Eligible entries may include strategic digital campaigns (voter drives, mental health initiatives, community spotlights, with measurable impact), social media activations (Instagram takeovers, X Q&As, TikTok challenges, hashtag movements), mobile apps with live streaming and/or interactive features), and podcasts (original series, investigative specials or audience driven formats.) Each entry must include a one-page narrative detailing the campaign’s goals, execution, and outcomes. For podcast submissions, please provide a comprehensive overview of the series or episode. Entries must be 15 minutes or less. Edited content is allowed, especially for podcasts and recaps.
CATEGORY R-2: Radio Station Marketing & Promos Radio Station Marketing & Promos invites you to shine a spotlight on the promotional work your station has conceived, scripted, produced, and broadcast. Whether you’re submitting a single spot that packs a punch or a series of interconnected promos, the entire package must remain under ten minutes. Judges will be listening for seamless brand integration, inventive concept development, production polish, and the power of your messaging to captivate and motivate your audience.
CATEGORY R-3: Public Service Announcement/Campaign Public Service Announcement/Campaign welcomes in-house efforts that inform, educate, or rally your community around causes that matter. From health alerts and safety reminders to social-good initiatives, your entry should tell a clear, compelling story in under ten minutes. Evaluation will focus on the announcement’s clarity of purpose, emotional resonance, narrative strength, and measurable impact on public awareness or behavior.
CATEGORY R-4: Feature Story/Report/Series Feature Story/Report/Series submissions offer stations an opportunity to present in-depth reporting and narrative exploration of people, events, or issues. Entries can be a standalone report, a single feature story, or a short series, each running no longer than fifteen minutes. Judges will assess the depth of research, the strength of the narrative arc, and the technical excellence of the production.
CATEGORY R-5: Public Affairs Program/Series Public Affairs Program/Series is your platform for in-depth coverage of civic debates, policy questions, and community concerns. Entries may span up to thirty minutes and can be a standalone episode or a curated series, with editing allowed to bring out the strongest moments. Including a one-page narrative is strongly recommended to guide judges to the program’s key insights, most impactful interviews, and signature storytelling techniques.
CATEGORY R-6: Local Radio Newscast This category recognizes excellence in local news reporting. Entrants may submit up to three separate newscasts that showcase journalistic integrity, clarity, and relevance to the community. Submissions should reflect strong editorial judgment, effective storytelling, and professional delivery. Total runtime must not exceed 30 minutes across all newscasts.
CATEGORY R-7: Radio Commercial This category celebrates the art of concise, persuasive audio advertising by honoring station-produced spots that have actually aired. Entrants should submit a commercial no longer than 60 seconds, showcasing tight scripting, memorable hooks, and production values that captivate listeners and drive results. Judges will listen for clarity of message, originality in concept, strength of voice performance, sound design that enhances the narrative, and overall effectiveness in reaching and resonating with the target audience.
CATEGORY R-8: Coverage of a Local Sporting Event In this category, stations bring the energy of the game into listeners’ homes through full play-by-play commentary. Each entry must be accompanied by a one-page narrative that highlights the key plays, pivotal moments, standout athletes, and compelling on-air storytelling that elevated the coverage from routine to unforgettable. Evaluation will focus on the broadcaster’s ability to convey excitement, paint a vivid audio picture, maintain a strong pace, and weave in context or interviews that deepen the listener’s connection to the event.
CATEGORY R-9: Local Radio Personality or Team This category shines a spotlight on the on-air talent whose voices and perspectives define a station’s identity. Whether through a solo show or a dynamic duo or ensemble, entries up to 15 minutes should capture the hosts’ charisma, authenticity, and skill in engaging callers, interviewing guests, or presenting segments that matter to their community. Judges will assess energy and rapport, originality of content, adaptability across topics, and the hosts’ capacity to build loyalty and spark conversation among their audience.
CATEGORY R-10: Station Sponsored Event This category highlights events organized or hosted by your station that demonstrate community engagement, creativity, and promotional impact. Entries must include a one-page narrative describing the event’s purpose, execution, and outcomes, audio/visual clips, photos, and promotional materials as well as links to event-related social media pages. The total runtime of all media content must not exceed 15 minutes. Print-only entries are accepted but must be submitted as a digital link along with the narrative to ensure judges can access all materials directly through the online judging portal.
JUDGES' MERIT -- RADIO: This category exists for extraordinary work that does not neatly fit into any of the other categories but still exemplifies superior quality and innovation. Entries in this category may run up to fifteen minutes, and judges will consider each submission’s overall excellence, creativity, and contribution to the advancement of broadcast journalism. If the judge feels an entry is better suited in any of the forementioned categories, it will be moved to the appropriate category, and the submitter will be notified of this change.

Television Awards Categories

CATEGORY T-1: Television Use of Digital Media This category invites stations to demonstrate how they harness the power of online channels—whether through social media campaigns, immersive mobile apps, custom podcasts, or other internet-based storytelling—to engage audiences in fresh, impactful ways. Each entry should include an audio or visual sample alongside a concise narrative that explains the concept, execution, and goals. Judges will evaluate entries on the originality of the idea, the quality of the presentation, the creativity evident in the execution, and the overall standard of journalistic excellence. For podcast submissions, please provide a comprehensive overview of the series or episode. Entries must be 15 minutes or less. Edited content is permissible, especially for podcasts and recaps.
CATEGORY T-2: Television Marketing & Promos In this category, stations compete by highlighting promotional content that they have written, produced, and aired themselves. Whether you submit a single spot or a series of coordinated segments, your entry must not exceed ten minutes in total length. Judges will look for seamless brand integration, compelling messaging, production value, and the promotional piece’s ability to connect with viewers.
CATEGORY T-3: Public Service Announcement/Campaign This category celebrates station-produced efforts designed to inform or inspire the community on issues of public interest. From health and safety advisories to community outreach initiatives, entries should reflect a genuine commitment to serving the public good and demonstrate clear, persuasive storytelling. Entries must not exceed 10 minutes.
CATEGORY T-4: Feature Story/Report/Series This category offers stations an opportunity to present in-depth reporting and narrative exploration of people, events, or issues. Entries can be a single feature story, or a short series, each running no longer than fifteen minutes. Judges will assess the depth of research, the strength of the narrative, and the technical excellence of the production - all with an eye toward how effectively the piece informs, engages, and resonates with its audience.
CATEGORY T-5: Public Affairs Program This category honors programs or series that delve into civic or cultural topics, public policy debates, or community concerns. With a maximum duration of thirty minutes, these entries should show editorial balance, strong journalistic ethics, and the ability to foster informed discussion among viewers.
CATEGORY T-6: Television Weathercast In this category, stations highlight their weather segments by submitting up to ten minutes of airtime that highlight accuracy of information, inventive graphic design, and clarity of messaging. Judges will score each submission on how effectively it combines meteorological expertise with engaging storytelling to keep viewers informed and prepared.
CATEGORY T-7: Spot or Breaking News Story In this category, entries must capture the urgency and accuracy of unfolding events, whether as a brief segment or a comprehensive package of up to thirty minutes. Judges will evaluate each entry on the clarity of its reporting and the strength of its impact on the audience. Edited content is permissible.
CATEGORY T-8: Coverage of a Local Sporting Event In this category, stations are permitted to submit a complete broadcast of a game or competition, accompanied by a one-page narrative that directs judges to the most compelling highlights. This narrative should pinpoint pivotal plays, standout performances, and any storytelling elements that elevate the broadcast beyond a simple game recap.
CATEGORY T-9: Documentary Program This category provides stations the opportunity to deliver long-form explorations of topics that matter. Whether profiling a local hero, unpacking a complex social issue, or capturing a cultural phenomenon, station-produced documentaries should reflect thorough research, artistic vision, and quality production. An entire documentary program may be submitted with an accompanying narrative describing the subject matter as well as the highlights of the program.
CATEGORY T-10: Investigative Story/Report/Series This category recognizes stations that pursue journalism with purpose, courage, and precision. Whether a single report or a series, entries must not exceed fifteen minutes and should reflect a deep commitment to uncovering truths that matter. Judges will assess the significance of the issue investigated, the rigor and transparency of the reporting, and the narrative strength that drives public understanding and accountability.
JUDGES' MERIT -- TELEVISION: This category exists for extraordinary work that does not neatly fit into any of the other categories but still exemplifies superior quality and innovation. Entries in this category may run up to fifteen minutes, and judges will consider each submission’s overall excellence, creativity, and contribution to the advancement of broadcast journalism. If the judge feels an entry is better suited in any of the forementioned categories, it will be moved to the appropriate category, and the submitter will be notified of this change.