Where to enter
Visit https://rockourawards.com/register
In the dropdown, for “Select State” choose: Illinois News Broadcasters Association
FYI: Large Market stations include Chicago and St. Louis. Small Market entries are for stations serving an Illinois audience outside of the Chicago/St. Louis metro markets. Entries can include border markets in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Indiana which have a signal in Illinois. Our awards platform is Rock Our Awards and payment is made through PayPal on the Rock Our Awards portal. You can also pay by check made out to “INBA Awards” sent to Tanya Koonce/INBA Treasurer, 1470 N. Main St. East Peoria, 61611.
Questions? Contact Contest Manager H Wayne Wilson: hwilson@mtco.com
Important deadlines
For work completed July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Entries accepted starting July 1, 2023
Finalists announced: August 2023
Awards presented: Sept. 9, 2023, at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Fall Convention in Urbana
Price per entry
Large Market TV, $45
Small Market TV, $30
Large Market Radio, $35
Small Market Radio, $20
Categories
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Station (Large and Small Market Television and Radio): Entry should contain parts of locally-originated, regularly-scheduled newscasts aired on any date during the contest period, minus commercials/PSAs. Other components may include separate examples of spot news, features and other work to showcase the overall performance of the news operation. Entry must contain a written overview that lists in bullet-point form descriptions of the included items. All entries should be as they appeared on air without additional voice-over or narration. Entries may be edited. Maximum length for TV – 50 minutes; Maximum length for Radio – 25 minutes. This is an award for a station. Entry limit per station – one.
INBA Paul Davis Crystal Mic Award: Best Newscast (Large and Small Market Television and Radio): Entry should include one locally-originated, regularly-scheduled newscast, minus commercials/PSAs on any date during the contest period. Maximum length for TV – 25 minutes; Maximum length for Radio – 15 minutes (after commercials and PSAs are removed). This is an award for a station. Entry limit per station: one.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Weather Operation (Large and Small Market Television Only): Entry, minus commercials/PSAs, may include up to four weather blocks from at least two different individuals aired during any date of the contest period. Presentations should demonstrate knowledge, performance and ability to present useful information to viewers. Maximum length – 25 minutes. This is an award for a station. Entry limit per station – one.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Digital Presence (Large and Small Market Television and Radio): Judges will view a station’s website, social media feeds and apps. Judges will consider content, overall appearance, ease of navigation, success at building an online audience and community involvement. Station entries should include a listing of digital offerings and evidence of community engagement. This is an award for a station.
Categories for Individual Entries:
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Best Reporter (Large and Small Market Television and Radio) Entry must include at least three non-documentary stories broadcast during the contest period. Stories should demonstrate research and writing skills while also displaying initiative in reporting and performance. The entrant should be an individual who regularly handles daily assignments but may also handle occasional special assignments. Maximum length for TV and Radio – 25 minutes
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Breaking News (Large and Small Market Television and Radio) One or two stories, each in its entirety, on the same unscheduled breaking or developing news event that aired within 24 hours of the event. Judges will consider the reporter’s ability to present a clear story with limited access to resources. Maximum length for TV – ten minutes. Maximum length for Radio – six minutes. This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Investigative Report (Large and Small Market Television and Radio) A single in-depth investigative story or a limited series of reports on a topic of community interest using previously unaired information. Judging will be based on research, writing and importance of the issue to the community. Maximum length for TV – ten minutes. Maximum length for Radio – six minutes. This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Use of Sound – (Large and Small Market Radio) One story in its entirety that uses natural sound to enhance a news report. Judging will be based on editing and how the sound relates to the writing. Radio category only – maximum length – five minutes. This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Use of Video (Large and Small Market Television) One story in its entirety that demonstrates the ability of the videographer to convey a story with visual content. Judging will be based on visual composition, editing and how the video relates to the writing. Television category only – maximum length – five minutes. This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Writing (Large and Small Market Television and Radio) Up to three stories, each in its entirety, submitted either as audio or video but the entry will be judged only on storytelling through compelling writing and originality. Maximum length for TV – ten minutes. Maximum length for Radio – ten minutes. This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – one.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Sports Report (Large and Small Market Television and Radio) A single locally-produced, packaged sports story or one segment of a multi-part locally- produced series. Maximum length for TV and Radio – five minutes. This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
Other important information
- All entries must be submitted online.
- Entries must be submitted to www.rockourawards.com. Be sure to read the information on the home page concerning the entry process and appropriate file sizes and types.
- Create a profile (username and password) by clicking the “Register” button on the top of the homepage. Complete the information, click submit and you’ll be taken to the Illinois News Broadcasters Association homepage.
- From the homepage you can review awards rules, submit an entry, view and edit an entry, or edit your station’s information.
- To enter a category, click “Submit Entry” and fill in the information. The headline/title should be what you would want shown on a plaque.
- Acceptable file formats to upload to the site are .mp3, .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .doc, docx, .wma, .pdf, .mp4, .wmv and .mov files.
- RockOurAwards.com requires video entries to be linked from YouTube, Vimeo, other video hosting sites, or a station website. Simply copy/paste the videos URL in the “Add Link” section.
- Special characters should be avoided in file names. Stick with letters, numbers, &, dots, dashes and underscores, “NO # or apostrophes”
- If you have questions, are running into trouble, or need to reset your password, email info@rockourawards.com or call 800-471-1875.