Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hands Out Awards For Excellence

Awards

The 2021 WISCONSIN BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION Awards for Excellence were handed out at the organization's 2022 awards gala SATURDAY (5/7) in MIDDLETON, WI.

“We were so excited to be back to our in-person awards gala after two years of going virtual,” said WBA President and CEO MICHELLE BETTERKIND. “The WBA Awards for Excellence highlight the best that WISCONSIN’s radio and TV stations have to offer, including their tremendous service to their communities. They most definitely have a lot to be proud of."

Radio winners include:

Stations of the Year:

Large Market Radio News and Talk: GOOD KARMA BRANDS News-Talk WTMJ-A-W277CV/MILWAUKEE
Medium Market Radio News and Talk: SEEHAFER BROADCASTING CORP. Full Service WOMT-A-W300EE/MANITOWOC, WI
Small Market Radio News and Talk: GOOD KARMA BRANDS Oldies-Full Servics WBEV-A/BEAVER DAM, WI
Large Market Radio Music Format: SUN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION low power Variety WLSP-LP (103.5 THE SUN)/SUN PRAIRIE-MADISON and MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE Alternative WLUM (FM 102.1)/MILWAUKEE
Medium Market Radio Music Format: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS Top 40 WIFC/WAUSAU
Small Market Radio Music Format: SPARTA-TOMAH BROADCASTING CO. Country WCOW (COW 97)/SPARTA, WI and CTJ COMMUNICATIONS Hot AC WLKG (LAKE 96.1)/LAKE GENEVA, WI

News Operation of the Year:

Large Market Radio News and Talk: WTMJ
Medium Market Radio News and Talk: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS News-Talk WTAQ-A-F/GREEN BAY
Small Market Radio News and Talk: WBEV

2021 Social & Digital Media Operation of the Year

Large Market Radio News and Talk: WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO
Medium Market Radio News and Talk: WOMT
Small Market Radio News and Talk: WBEV
Large Market Radio Music Format: MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE AC WLDB (B93.3)/MILWAUKEE
Medium Market Radio Music Format: MAGNUM Country WVTY/RACINE
Small Market Radio Music Format: WCOW

Large Market Radio News and Talk

Best Morning Radio Show: GOOD KARMA BRANDS News-Talk WGKB-A-W269DL (101.7 THE TRUTH)/MILWAUKEE, MKE in the Morning
Best Radio Show: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE Variety WUWM/MILWAUKEE, LAKE EFFECT, DECEMBER 30, 2021
Best Newscast: GOOD KARMA BRANDS News-Talk WTMJ-A-W277CV/MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN’S AFTERNOON NEWS
Best Sportscast: WTMJ, GREG MATZEK
Best Continuing Coverage: WTMJ, BUCKS Championship Run
Best Spot News: WTMJ, WAUKESHA CHRISTMAS Parade Tragedy
Best News Writing: WTMJ, Vegan Fish Fry
Best Hard News/Investigative: BACK PORCH RADIO BROADCASTING Variety WORT/MADISON, On Call With MADISON’s Crisis Response Team
Best Feature: WUWM, The Art & Science of Making Cowbells
Best Use of Audio in Radio News: WUWM, MILWAUKEE Father-Son Duo Carries On Rich Tradition Of Latin Percussion
Best Live On-Scene Reporting: WTMJ, RYDER CUP
Best Interview: WTMJ, Congressman MIKE GALLAGHER
Best Sports Play By Play: iHEARTMEDIA News-Talk WIBA-A/MADISON, WAUNAKEE Wins 7th State Football Championship
Best Significant Community Impact: WTMJ, WTMJ Cares -- PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER
Best Specialty Programming: WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO, The People and Their PACKERS
Best Promotional Announcement: WTMJ, Brew OCTOBER
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WTMJ, VALVOLINE
Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WTMJ, MIDWEST HEATING & COOLING
Best Coverage of Pandemic Recovery: WTMJ, Vacs Facts Roundtable
Best Website: WTMJ, WTMJ.com
Best Web Story: WTMJ, 9/11: 20 Years Later
Best Use of Social Media: WTMJ, BUCKS Championship Parade
Best Original Digital Content: WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO, WHYsconsin
Best Online Personality: WTMJ, BRYAN DEE
Best Online Breaking News Coverage: WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO, WAUKESHA Parade

Medium Market Radio News and Talk

Best Morning Radio Show: MID-WEST FAMILY BROADCASTING Sports WKTY-A-K244FM/LA CROSSE, WI, BEST MORNING SHOW 1
Best Radio Show: WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS Sports WSCO-A-W237AA-W256DD (THE SCORE)/APPLETON-OSHKOSH, TROPHY FANTASY FOOTBALL SHOW WITH LEO, BALKY, AND ALEX -- NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Best Newscast: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS News-Talk WSAU-A-F/WAUSAU, THE WSAU WISCONSIN MORNING NEWS
Best Sportscast: RADIO PLUS Oldies WFDL-A-W229DE-W277AC, THE SOURCE SPORTSCAST
Best Continuing Coverage: WFDL, COVID Recovery
Best Spot News: SEEHAFER BROADCASTING CORP. Full Service WOMT-A-W300EE/MANITOWOC, WI, MISHICOT Girls Basketball Welcomed Home
Best News Writing: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS News-Talk WTAQ-A-F/GREEN BAY, KWIK TRIP Fangirl
Best Hard News/Investigative: WTAQ, HUBBARD Street Violence
Best Feature: WTAQ, 9/11 Twenty Years Later: WISCONSIN Remembers
Best Use of Audio in Radio News: WOMT, Inline Speed Skating Team Competes
Best Live On-Scene Reporting: WOMT, Remember the Fallen
Best Interview: WISCONSION PUBLIC RADIO News-Talk WLBL-F/WAUSAU, ISIS Threat
Best Sports Play By Play: WSCO, JOEY D.: LOURDES ACADEMY vs. THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL MARCH 5, 2021
Best Significant Community Impact: WOMT, Giving Tree
Best Specialty Programming: WKTY, A Lead Balloon Tribute to MIKE KEARNS
Best Promotional Announcement: WTAQ, 9/11 Remembered
Best Public Service Announcement: WOMT, Puppergram
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: STEWARDS OF SOUND News-Talk WOGO-A-W276CP/EAU CLAIRE, WI, THE MEDICINE SHOPPE “We’ll Bring Them To You!”
Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WOGO, JY COLLISION CENTER “Real Winter Drivers”
Best Coverage of Pandemic Recovery: WFDL, The Pandemic Roller Coaster
Best Website: WSAU, WSAU.com
Best Web Story: WOMT, Give Them the Opportunity to Live
Best Use of Social Media: WOMT, FACEBOOK Frenzy
Best Original Digital Content: WOMT, Remember the Fallen
Best Online Personality: MID-WEST FAMILY BROADCASTING Sports WAYY-A-W286CK/EAU CLAIRE, WI, DAN KASPER
Best Online Breaking News Coverage: WOMT, MPSD Teacher Assault

Small Market Radio News and Talk

Best Morning Radio Show: HEARTLAND COMMUNICATIONS GROUPO Classic Hits WRJO, WAKE UP WITH THE WOLF
Best Radio Show: GOOD KARMA BRANDS Oldies-Full Servics WBEV-A/BEAVER DAM, WI, BREAKTIME
Best Newscast: WBEV, Newscast MARCH 17, 2021
Best Sportscast: SPARTA-TOMAH BROADCASTING CO. Sports WFBZ (105.5 ESPN)/LA CROSSE, WI, ESPN SPORTS CENTER
Best Continuing Coverage: RADIO PLUS BAY CITIES Classic Hits WHYB (CLASSIC HITS 103.7)/MENOMINEE, MI-MARINETTE, WI, VANNIEUWENHOVEN Murder Trial
Best Spot News: WBEV, UNCLE BILL Announces Passing Of Colleague, Friend JOHN MOSER
Best News Writing: WBEV, JOHN MOSER Passes Away
Best Hard News/Investigative: WHITE PINE COMMUNITY BROADCASTING News-Talk WXPR/RHINELANDER, WI, VILAS COUNTY Board Chair Investigation
Best Feature: RESULTS BROADCASTING Classic Country WTCH-A-W241CJ/SHAWANO, WI, Locals Look Back At 9/11
Best Use of Audio in Radio News: WXPR, The Sounds of SPRING
Best Live On-Scene Reporting: WTCH, A Stormy Night In PULASKI
Best Interview: WBEV, Because He’s JEFF GOLDBLUM
Best Sports Play By Play: WFBZ, MITCHELL SPELTZ, WEST SALEM - ONALASKA
Best Significant Community Impact: WBEV, Children’s Radiothon raises over $111,000
Best Specialty Programming: NRG MEDIA Sports WOBT-A-W267AF (THE GAME)/RHINELANDER, WI, The Hodag Increments - Play
Best Promotional Announcement: WBEV, Breaktime Alexa
Best Public Service Announcement: WRJO, WRJO & VFW POST 8637 Gyros for Heroes
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WBEV, VITA PARK Singing Eye Docs CHRISTMAS
Carol Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WBEV, RECHEK’S Save-a-sauras
Best Coverage of Pandemic Recovery: WRJO, COVID Recovery 2021
Best Website: WHYB, BAY CITIES RADIO Website
Best Web Story: WFBZ, AARON MORSE on LA CROSSE CENTRAL Stars
Best Use of Social Media: WBEV, Daily Dodge Facebook
Best Original Digital Content: WBEV, Big Cheese Wheelchair Basketball
Best Online Personality: WWIS RADIO INC. Classic Country WWIS (THE STAR)/LA CROSSE, MARY GERDES
Best Online Breaking News Coverage: WHYB, CARNEY Fire

Large Market Radio Music Format

Best Morning Radio Show: MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE AC WLDB (B93.3)/MILWAUKEE, “FEEL GOOD MORNINGS WITH JOE”
Best Radio Show: SUN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION low power Variety WLSP-LP (103.5 THE SUN)/SUN PRAIRIE-MADISON, GREG'S LIST
Best Newscast: WLSP, SUN PRAIRIE News
Best Interview: MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE Alternative WLUM (FM 102.1)/MILWAUKEE, ADLER talks with MARIANA VAN ZELLER of TRAFFICKED on NATGEO
Best Original Feature: AUDACY Triple A WMMM/MADISON, LUTHER ALLISON: “A Concert We’ll Never Forget”
Best Use of Audio (Non-News): SAGA Oldies WRXS (PURE OLDIES 106.9)/MILWAUKEE, PURE OLDIES 106.9 Launch
Best Sports Coverage: WLUM, ADLER talks to DAMIAN PRIEST of WWE
Best Significant Community Impact: WLSP, Multicultural Fair Radio Reboot
Best Specialty Programming: WLUM, RETRO BRUNCH
Best Station Promo: WLDB, “B” My Valentine Weekend
Best Station Event Promo: SAGA Active Rock WHQG (102.9 THE HOG)/MILWAUKEE, BACONFEST X
Best Client Event Promo: SAGA R&B WJMR (JAMMIN' 98.3)/MILWAUKEE,. JAMMIN' 98.3’s Cutest Couple
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: AUDACY Hot AC WMYX (99.1 THE MIX)/MILWAUKEE, EXEC PARK “Back to Travel”
Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: AUDACY Classic Hits WOLX/MADISON, HASHEIDER ROOFING “Gesundheit!”
Best Pandemic-Related Service to Community: MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Variety WMSE/MILWAUKEE, CTSI DISCOVERY RADIO Episode 82 Contain COVID Clinical Trial
Best Original Digital Content: WLDB, “Feel Good FRIDAYS” With B93.3 On CBS 58

Medium Market Radio Music Format

Best Morning Radio Show: NRG MEDIA Adult Hits WBCV (BIG CHEESE 107.9)/WAUSAU, BIG CHEESE MORNING SHOW WITH TRAV
Best Radio Show: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS Top 40 WIFC/WAUSAU, MIKE MATHERS
Best Newscast: RADIO PLUS AC WFDL (SUNNY 97.7)/FOND DU LAC, WI, Morning News
Best Interview: MID-WEST FAMILY BROADCASTING Classic Hits WISM (GREATEST HITS 98.1)/EAU CLAIRE, DEBBIE GIBSON
Best Original Feature: GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE Variety WGTD/KENOSHA, With “Noon Toons” Classical Music Station Finds Way to Support Local Musicians of All Stripes
Best Live On-Site Broadcast Remote: WGTD, 2021 WGTD RADIO THEATER Holiday Extravaganza Live from LAKE LAWN RESORT
Best Use of Audio (Non-News): WGTD, The WGTD RADIO THEATER -- “2021 Cartoon Mashup: Wanted, A Kingdom”
Best Sports Coverage: SUNRISE BROADCASTING Oldies WJMT-A (BLUEJAY 96.3)/WAUSAU, CHAD HOLMES, MERRILL Softball Sectional Final
Best Significant Community Impact: MID-WEST FAMILY BROADCASTING Classic Rock WECL (92.9 THE X)/EAU CLAIRE, Paws For The Cause
Best Specialty Programming: NRG MEDIA Classic Rock WGLX/WAUSAY, CRICKET'S ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE
Best Promotional Announcement: CUMULUS Classic Hits WVBO/APPLETON-OSHKOSH, Message For Swingers
Best Station Promo: WIFC, WIFC Music Test
Best Station Event Promo: MAGNUM Classic Rock WKBH/LA CROSSE, Rotary Lights
Best Client Event Promo: WWIB FM, STOCKMAN’S FARM SUPPLY AND MORE “Real Reindeer!”
Best Public Service Announcement: WIFC, GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE With Music
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: STEWARDS OF SOUND Christian AC WWIB/EAU CLAIRE, AMK CLEANING SERVICES “Love Your Home Again!”
Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WIFC, TOMAHAWK FURNITURE & GUN -- Deer Stand
Best Pandemic-Related Service to Community: WIFC, Interview with Dr. SANJAY GUPTA
Best Website: MAGNUM Country WVTY/RACINE, VTY COUNTRY Website
Best Use of Social Media: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS Country WDEZ/WAUSAU, WDEZ Connects With You
Best Original Digital Content: WGTD, “INSIDE THE RITTENHOUSE TRIAL” Podcast Gives Listeners Daily Insight into Trial
Best Online Personality: MID-WEST FAMILY BROADCASTING Top 40/Rhythmic WEAQ-AW240DC/EAU CLAIRE, MEG ANN LEE
Best Live Online On-Site Coverage: WVTY, VTY COUNTRY FACEBOOK

Small Market Radio Music Format

Best Morning Radio Show: GOOD KARMA BRANDS Hot AC WXRO (95X)/BEAVER DAM, WI, 95X MORNING SHOW
Best Radio Show: CTJ COMMUNICATIONS Hot AC WLKG (LAKE 96.1)/LAKE GENEVA, WI, MIKE MASON
Best Newscast: TKC, INC. Country WJMC/RICE LAKE, WI, Local News 12 p.m. - NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Best Interview: WXRO, KELEFA SANNEH - Major Labels
Best Original Feature: WLKG, GARY THEATRE
Best Live On-Site Broadcast Remote: WJMC, BARRON COUNTY JUNE Dairy Breakfast with AMBER
Best Use of Audio (Non-News): WHTL GROUP Classic Hits WHTL/WHITEHALL, WI, MIDDAYS WITH MARK WESTERN OPEN
Best Sports Coverage: MAGNUM Country WKCH (KICKS 106.5)/WHITEWATER, WI, UW-LA CROSSE at UW-WHITEWATER
Best Significant Community Impact: SPARTA-TOMAH BROADCASTING CO. Country WCOW (COW 97)/SPARTA, WI, Dream CHRISTMAS 2021
Best Specialty Programming: WXRO, 95X 21 in 21 NEW YEARS EVE Countdown
Best Promotional Announcement: WXRO, THE WHIPAROUND - RICK SPRINGFIELD
Best Station Promo: WLKG, SATURDAY at the 70s
Best Station Event Promo: WLKG, 96 Days of SUMMER
Best Client Event Promo: WCOW, Features Fest 2021
Best Public Service Announcement: WCOW, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB House of Shadows
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: MAGNUM Country WDDC (THUNDER 100.1)/MADISON, PREM MEATS Rap
Best Humorous Commercial or Underwriting Announcement: WHTL, BITE ME BAIT SHOP Commercial
Best Pandemic-Related Service to Community: MORGAN MURPHY MEDIA Country WGLR/LANCASTER, WI, GRANT REGIONAL HEALTH Vaccine Day
Best Website: WCOW, COW97.com
Best Use of Social Media: MAGNUM Country WMBZ (92.5 BUZZ COUNTRY)/WEST BEND, WI, 92.5 BUZZ COUNTRY
Best Original Digital Content: WLKG, HEIDI’s Hope
Best Online Personality: WHTL, MIKE GILBERTSON
Best Live Online On-Site Coverage: WCOW, ARMED FORCES DAY Concert 2021

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