On October 12, 2017 the NHAB presented its Granite Mikes at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH. There were 231 entries in 21 categories. The work was judged by the Indiana Broadcasters Association.
New Hampshire broadcasters submitted stories like “Yup, that Outhouse is also a Voting Booth” and produced documentaries such as “Opioid Grandparents.” Dozens of stations were recognized, capped off by the award for Broadcaster of the Year, which went to WMUR TV Sports Director Jamie Staton, for his work on and off camera.
Staton, who has worked at WMUR for nearly 20 years, has become a central figure in raising funds and awareness around many of New Hampshire’s most important causes, such as children’s health care.
WMUR TV was the big television winner, taking several First Place prizes and Merit Certificates. New Hampshire Public Radio received nine awards. WMUR TV and WZID FM in Manchester were named the television and radio Stations of the Year respectively.
Other individuals recognized were Greg Pregent, Production Director of the Monadnock Radio Group, Fred Portnoy of WNHN LP in Concord, and Daniel Velchev, Assistant Production Manager for WMUR TV. They were singled out by their colleagues for consistently going :above and beyond.”
Heather Bishop, Midday host for WZID, and WMUR TV’s Sean McDonald, received the radio and television Air Personality awards. WVMJ’s Gino and the Magic Morning Show were First Place winners in the Morning Show Team category.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Public Affairs/Talk
Radio
MERIT – WOKQ FM
FIRST – NH Public Radio
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Spot News
Radio
MERIT – WVMJ/WMWV
FIRST – NH Public Radio
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Documentary News
Radio
MERIT- NH Public Radio
FIRST – NH Public Radio
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Feature Story
Radio
MERIT – NH Public Radio
FIRST – NH Public Radio
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Newscast
Radio
MERIT – WZID FM
FIRST – NHPR
Television
MERIT -WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Play-by-Play
Radio
MERIT -WBNH LP
FIRST – WTSL
Television
FIRST – WYCU TV
Sports Feature
Radio
MERIT – NHPR
FIRST – NH Public Radio
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Air Personality
Radio
MERIT – WBNH LP “Suburban Underground with Drew Cline and Steve Poschmann”
FIRST – Heather Bishop – WZID
Television
MERIT
WMUR-TV – Chronicle – Erin Fehlau
FIRST – WMUR TV – Chronicle – Sean McDonald
Morning Show Team – radio category only
Radio
MERIT – The Morning Wakeup with Nazzy & Tara – WLNH FM
FIRST – Gino and the Magic Morning Show – WVMJ FM
Station Promotional Announcement
Radio
MERIT – WSAK FM
FIRST – WXXK FM
Television
MERIT – NHPBS
FIRST – WMUR TV
Individual Commercial
Radio
MERIT – WHDQ, WXXK, WGXL, WWOD, WTSL, WHDQ HD2,
FIRST – WKNE FM
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WPTZ/WNNE TV
Commercial Campaign
Radio
MERIT – WZID FM
FIRST – WNTK FM
Television
MERIT – WPTZ/WNNETV
FIRST – WPTZ/WNNE TV
Public Service Announcement
Radio
MERIT – WLNH FM
FIRST – WBNH LP
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Best Use of Digital Media
Radio
MERIT – WVMJ FM
FIRST – WOKQ FM
Television
FIRST – WMUR TV
Best Station Promotion
Radio
MERIT – WHDQ FM
FIRST – WHDQ FM
Television
FIRST – WMUR TV
Local Special Program/Event
Radio
MERIT- WERZ FM
FIRST – NH Public Radio
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
LP-FM
Radio
MERIT – WBNH LP
FIRST – WNHN LP
Public Service Campaign of the Year
Radio
MERIT – WLKZ, WZEI, WTPL
FIRST – WHEB FM / WGIR FM
Television
MERIT – WMUR TV
FIRST – WMUR TV
Above and Beyond Award
Radio
MERIT – Fred Portnoy, WNHN LP
FIRST – Greg Pregent – Monadnock Radio Group
Television: (No merit)
First – Daniel Velchev, WMUR
Station of the Year
Radio
MERIT – WLKZ FM
FIRST – WZID FM
Television
MERIT – WYCU LD
FIRST – WMUR TV
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Established in 1954, the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters is the only voluntary, statewide trade organization serving the Granite State’s over-the-air radio and television stations. It assists members with general and broadcast-specific business challenges through educational seminars, legal hotlines, lobbying (in-state and on Capitol Hill), and additional opportunities to receive industry specific assistance, locate helpful resources, and network with fellow broadcasters.
