BOLTON LANDING -- It's a night of congratulations for stations throughout all three markets covered by CNYRadio.com and CNYTVNews.com. Five stations in Syracuse, two in Utica and one in Ithaca are winners at the New York State Broadcasters Association's 46th annual "Excellence in Broadcasting Awards."
Galaxy classic rocker TK99/TK105 (WTKW/WTKV) is the leader among Syracuse market radio stations, the only station in the market to net two awards at tonight's dinner. The Gomez and Dave morning show -- with Glenn "Gomez" Adams, Dave Coombs and Lisa Chelenza -- won for "Outstanding On-Air Broadcast Personality or Team," and Coombs also won the "Outstanding Sportscast" award. Galaxy notes that this same programming is simulcast each morning on Galaxy's 96.9 WOUR in the Utica-Rome market.
Added 6/20 -- Galaxy CEO Ed Levine issued a statement congratulating his team, saying, "Being recognized and honored by one’s peers means a lot. I’m very proud of the show and all the successes they have had over the years!" VP/Programming Mimi Griswold also sent over the audio from the Dave Coombs sportscast was submitted for judging:
[audio https://cnyradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/WTKW12-1-18sportsA2.mp3]
The "Military Moments-Military Family Appreciation" moments broadcast by B104.7 (WBBS) earned the Clear Channel country station this year's "Outstanding Public Service Announcement/Campaign" award.
In television, NBC affiliate WSTM was recognized for "Outstanding Locally Originated Newscast" for an entry titled "Major Flood & Homicide Arrest," while PBS affiliate WCNY-TV's locally-produced "Vista-Groundswell: Hydrofracking in NYS" was recognized for "Outstanding Public Affairs Program or Series."
NYSBA also handed six "Community Engagement Awards," three for television and three for radio. One of those went to Clear Channel's News/Talk 106.9 and 570 WSYR for its "Be Heard CNY" campaign in cooperation with the Central New York Regional Economic Council. NYSBA says this award is given "in recognition of the critical relationship between local stations and organizations that work to improve their communities."
Two awards each to NBC affiliate NewsChannel 2 (WKTV) and to news/talker WIBX 950.
In the television competition, WKTV won "Outstanding Hard News Story" for "Heartbreak on Schuyler Street, and the station's coverage of the 2011 Boilermaker Road Race captured the trophy for "Outstanding Local Sporting Event."
On the radio side, WIBX covered both extremes of the news world, with an "Outstanding Spot News" award for covering neighbor reaction following a deadly explosion, and "Outstanding Feature Story" for a piece which gathered reflections on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Last but not least, co-hosts Matt Schultz and Brian Delaney from Between the Lines on ESPN Radio 1160 (WPIE) were named "Outstanding On-Air Broadcast Personality or Team." The program airs weekdays from 4-5pm.
Yes, that's the same award Gomez and Dave won in Syracuse, but each award is given out at three levels: New York City stations only compete against each other, the second category involves medium market stations (like Syracuse), and the third category is for smaller markets (such as Utica and Ithaca).
In congratulating the winners, NYSBA President David Donovan noted, "this prestigious award is given only to stations that provide superior service to their communities and their teams deserve high praise for earning this award and serving the public interest. "
Statewide "Broadcaster of the Year" honors went to Bill Weir, co-anchor of ABC Nightline. Glens Falls native Rachel Ray was named "New Yorker of the Year" as host of her self-titled syndicated daytime television show, and the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants were named "New York Sports Story of the Year."