Attention Illinois news broadcasting outlets: It’s time to gather your best work from the past year and enter it into the 2023 INBA Crystal Mic Awards.
The contest entry window runs from July 1-31. Finalists will be announced on INBA.net and INBA social media in August, and the winners will be revealed in person Sept. 9 during the INBA Fall Convention at the Eastland Suites and Conference Center in Urbana.
The contest covers work completed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.
Price per entry:
- Large Market TV, $50
- Small Market TV, $35
- Large Market Radio, $40
- Small Market Radio, $25
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 that have a signal in Illinois.
All entries must be submitted online through https://rockourawards.com/. (Outlets that already have an account on this website can log in here. First-time users can register for an account here. On the registration page, choose Illinois News Broadcasters Association from the “State” dropdown menu to enter the INBA contest.
Be sure to read the information on the contest home page concerning the entry process and appropriate file sizes and types.
Entry payments can be made via PayPal on the Rock Our Awards website. Stations can also pay by a check made out to “INBA Awards” and sent to Tanya Koonce/INBA Treasurer, 1470 N. Main St., East Peoria, IL, 61611.
STATION AWARD 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 – 30 minutes; Maximum length for Radio – 30 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 – 10 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.
NEW: INBA Crystal Mic Award: Podcasting (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)
An enterprising piece presented by the station on a topic of interest and importance to the community that spotlights a person, place, thing or issue. Entries may include podcasts produced by the station.
Maximum length for TV – 60 minutes. Maximum length for Radio – 60 minutes.
This is an award for a station. Entry limit per station – one.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
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
This is an award for an individual.
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 and Radio – 10 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 and Radio – 10 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 or two stories, each 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 – 10 minutes.
This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
NEW: INBA Crystal Mic Award: Use of Videography (Large and Small Market Television)
A composite 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 – 10 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)
One or two 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 – 10 minutes. Maximum length for Radio – 6 minutes.
This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.
INBA Crystal Mic Award: Sports Report (Large and Small Market Television and Radio)
A single locally produced, packaged story or one segment of a multi-part locally produced series.
Maximum length for TV and Radio – 3 minutes.
This is an award for an individual. Entry limit per individual – two.