Gray Honored With Unprecedented Number Of Major Awards And Recognitions

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May 09, 2016, 08:00 ET

ATLANTA, May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Gray Television, Inc. ("Gray," "we," "us" or "our") (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) today announced that its stations and professionals have been honored with an unprecedented number of major awards and recognitions for their high-quality news, community support, and leadership. Many annual awards for 2016 have yet to be announced. Nevertheless, the extraordinary level of honors bestowed on the Gray stations in just the past few months warrants this special announcement and recognition of their achievements.

Service to America Awards

For the first time in its history, Gray is included in a select group of broadcasters whose radio and television stations were selected as winners of the annual "Celebration of Service to America Awards" by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF). In another remarkable accomplishment, two of the three winning television stations are owned by the same company: Gray.

KWTX-TV (CBS) in Waco, Texas, will receive the "Service to America Television Award," which recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community. NABEF explained, "Through a variety of programming, fundraising and primary support, KWTX-TV met the needs of the Waco area with invaluable community outreach."

KOLO-TV (ABC) in Reno, Nevada, will receive the "Service to Community Award," which honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities. NABEF recognized "KOLO Cares," a year-round promotional awareness campaign that provides free, unmatched media outreach for local non-profit organizations in the northern Nevada area to help them obtain their objectives.

Two finalists for the "Service to Community Award" included Gray's KCRG (ABC) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as KWTX-TV.

Additional Significant National Achievements

The MomsEveryday Show, a new weekly program produced by Gray, has been honored with a Gracie Award in the category of "Local Talk Show – Entertainment, Lifestyle or Health." Gray's MomsEveryday team aims to "make mom's life easier" featuring lively and relevant panel discussions among moms from all ages and stages, as well as stories that support, educate, and entertain parents across the country. Over fifty television stations broadcast the MomsEveryday Show across the county. Named after the late Gracie Allen, the Gracie Awards acknowledge outstanding team leadership and individual achievement. The Gracie awards focus on women who are making positive change and who further the discussion of what a fulfilling career in media looks like. The Gracie Awards benefit the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, a charitable non-profit that creates educational programs, charitable activities and scholarship initiatives to benefit the public and women in the media.

For the first time in its history, Gray now has individuals serving on each of the four network affiliate associations as a result of this spring's elections of Matt Eldredge, General Manager of KOLO-TV, to the Board of the ABC Television Affiliates Association, and Chris Gross, General Manager of KEVN, to the Board of the Fox Affiliate Board of Governors. (Gray already had representation on the NBC Television Affiliates Board by CEO Hilton Howell and on the Board of the CBS Television Network Affiliates Association by EVP Kevin Latek.)

Vance Luke, Gray's Controller, has been selected by Media Financial Management Association as its first leader in the new series "People to Watch in 2016." In addition, TFM – The Financial Manager magazine recognized Mr. Luke as "The Shared Service Innovator."

Jeffrey Marks, Gray's Talent Development Director and the former long-time General Manager of WDBJ in Roanoke, has been selected by The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) to receive the 2016 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award. RTDNA's annual John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award recognizes one individual's exceptional contributions to our profession and to freedom of the press. Past honorees include Walter Cronkite, Jorge Ramos, and Barbara Cochran.

WSAW-TV (CBS) in Wausau, Wisconsin, won the "Set of the Year" contest conducted by NewscastStudio, the trade publication for TV creative professionals. WSAW-TV prevailed over ABC's "Good Morning America" in the final round of the fan vote competition.

Major Recent Awards for News and/or Community Service

Sixteen regional Murrow awards were bestowed upon Gray stations this year. RTDNA has honored outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of electronic journalism.

KTUU-TV (NBC), Anchorage, Alaska, and WDBJ-TV (CBS), Roanoke, Virginia, each won three regional Murrow awards.
KOLO-TV (ABC), Reno, Nevada, KWCH-TV (CBS), Wichita, Kansas, and WVLT-TV (CBS), Knoxville, Tennessee, each won two regional Murrow awards.
Additional Gray stations receiving regional Murrow awards include KKTV (CBS), Colorado Springs, Colorado, KWTX-TV (CBS), Waco, Texas, WJRT-TV (ABC), Flint, Michigan, and WOWT-TV (NBC), Omaha, Nebraska.

KALB (NBC/CBS) Alexandria, Louisiana, was honored with several awards recently including "Station of the Year" (Small Market) from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters and First Place in two categories from the Louisiana Associated Press Broadcasters.

KBTX (CBS), Bryan/College Station, Texas, received 12 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, including three First Place awards and four Second Place awards. In addition, KBTX received six American Advertising Awards (formerly the ADDYs), including two Gold and two Silver awards.

KCRG (ABC), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was honored by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association with five Eric Sevareid Awards of Merit. It also received nine Iowa Broadcast News Awards.

KFYR-TV (NBC), Bismarck, North Dakota, has been honored by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association with four Sevareid Awards in news, weather and sports. In 2015, KFYR-TV was nominated for three Emmy Awards and took home the Emmy for Best Weathercast, and it won four Teddy Awards and two Merit Awards from the North Dakota Broadcasters Association.

KGWN (CBS), Cheyenne, Wyoming, won 10 Wyoming Association of Broadcasting awards, including four First Place awards and six Second Place awards. KGWN was also honored with a 2015 Heartland Regional Emmy.

KJCT (ABC), Grand Junction, Colorado, was recognized with three awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.

KKCO (NBC), Grand Junction, Colorado, won two First Place awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.

KKTV (CBS), Colorado Springs, Colorado, was recently honored with five First Place awards and 11 Second Place awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association. The categories receiving First Place awards were Best Newscast, Best Hard News, Best Documentary, Best Sportscaster and Best Sports Program. In addition, the CBA awarded the prestigious Harry Hoth Public Service Award to KKTV for its commitment to community. The Colorado Non Profit Association also named KKTV as the Colorado Media Partner of the Year.

KMOT-TV (NBC), Minot, North Dakota, was recently awarded the Minot Area Homeless Coalition Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for bringing awareness to the community of the dramatic increase in homelessness.

KMVT (CBS), Twin Falls, Idaho, won First Place awards in seven categories and Second Place awards in three categories from the Idaho Press Club.

KNOE (CBS), Monroe, Louisiana, received the Louisiana Association of Broadcaster's Prestige Award for Best Sports Show in Louisiana for the second year in a row.

KOLN/KGIN (CBS), Lincoln, Nebraska last year won a Regional Emmy Award for Best Daytime Newscast as well as the Midwest Broadcast Journalism Association's Eric Sevareid Award for Photojournalism. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts presented KOLN/KGIN with the "Step Forward Award" from Serve Nebraska (Nebraska's Volunteer Service Commission), which recognizes a media outlet that excels in community involvement and demonstrates excellent community support.

KOLO-TV (ABC), Reno, Nevada, won a regional Associated Press Broadcasters award for Best Sports Reporting.

KOSA (CBS), Odessa/Midland, Texas, was selected as the "Station of the Year" for overall excellence by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. KOSA was honored with a total of 39 AP Awards, including seventeen First Place awards and twelve Second Place awards. KOSA recently wrapped up its Permian Basin Rehab Center Telethon, which helped to raise over $1,180,000 for the area's only comprehensive non-profit rehabilitation facility.

KSFY (ABC), Sioux Falls, South Dakota, won three regional Sevareid Awards, including Best Newscast for Medium Market Television, from the Midwest Broadcast Journalism Association.

KTUU (NBC), Anchorage, Alaska, received 10 Northwest Emmy nominations and won six awards from Associated Press Broadcasters Television and Radio Association (APRTA). KTUU won eight First Place awards and 21 total awards from the Alaska Press Club, including Best Newscast, Best Talk Program, and Best Investigative Reporting. In addition, KTUU received eight Goldie Awards from the Alaska Broadcasters Association, including Best Television Newscast, Best Community Service, and Best Public Affairs Program.

KVLY (NBC) Fargo, North Dakota, was honored with five Teddy Awards from the North Dakota Broadcaster's Association. The Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association awarded KVLY a First Place Sevareid Award for play-by-play sports coverage of North Dakota State University Football.

KWCH (CBS), Wichita, Kansas, was chosen as the "Large Market Station of the Year" by the Kansas Association of Broadcaster in its most recent annual competition. The state association also awarded KWCH a total of 17 awards, including eight First Place awards. Last year, KWCH also received two bronze Telly's, seven Emmy nominations from the Heartland Chapter of NATAS, one Emmy win, two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and one national Edward R Murrow Award.

KWTX (CBS) Waco, Texas, received 15 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, including four First Place awards and five Second Place Awards. KWTX also received a total of six ADDY Awards, including one Gold Award and one Silver Award.

KXII (CBS), Sherman, Texas, was honored with nine Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, including three First Place awards and three Second Place Awards. It took First Place awards in the morning newscast, daytime newscast, and sportscast categories.

WBKO (ABC), Bowling Green, Kentucky, was a finalist for 17 Kentucky Associated Press Broadcasters Awards and won six First Place awards (including Best Political Coverage, Best Website, Best Digital Journalist, Best TV Reporter and Best TV News Anchor) and six Second Place awards.

WCAV (CBS), Charlottesville, Virginia, was honored with 14 awards from the Associated Press Broadcasters for Virginia/West Virginia in the small market division, including three Superior and 11 Meritorious awards.

WCTV (CBS), Tallahassee, Florida, was selected by journalists in other states for numerous 2016 Florida Associated Press Broadcaster Awards, including seven First Place awards and five Second Place awards. First Place achievements included Best Website, Best Weathercast, Best Mobile Journalist and Best Individual Achievement.

WDBJ (CBS), Roanoke, Virginia, won three Associated Press Broadcasters of the Virginias Awards. The Virginia Emergency Management Association presented its first Adam Ward Media Award to WDBJ. The Society of Professional Journalists presented a national resolution commemorating the lives and work of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. NATAS – National Capital and Chesapeake Bay Chapter presented a Ted Yates Award to each of Adam Ward and Alison Parker (posthumously), as well as to the employees of WDBJ for showing "courage in the face of tragedy."

WHSV (ABC), Harrisonburg, Virginia, was honored with numerous Associated Press Broadcasters Awards for Virginia/West Virginia, including six in the Superior Category and seven in the Meritorious Category.

WIBW (CBS), Topeka, Kansas, was named "Station of the Year" by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. It also took home seven First Place awards and 16 awards overall. In addition, WIBW won a Bronze (2nd place) Telly Award and a Silver ADDY Award.

WIFR (CBS), Rockford, Illinois, was honored by the Illinois House of Representatives for its "support to the community and the dedication and hard work" to improve Rockford Region and the State of Illinois. The station also won four First Place and three Second Place awards from the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters.

WILX (NBC), Lansing, Michigan, received nine Broadcast Excellence awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

WJHG (NBC) Panama City, Florida, was honored with more Associated Press Broadcasters awards in 2016 than any other television station in the state of Florida. The WJHG news team brought home a total of 16 Florida Associated Press Broadcasters awards, including First Place awards in eight categories and Second Place awards in seven categories. The station also received two Silver ADDY Awards.

WKYT (CBS), Lexington, Kentucky, won the top three news reporting awards from the Kentucky Associated Press Broadcasters in the Lexington/Louisville division. The station also received 14 News Excellence Awards from Kentucky Associated Press Broadcasters, including First Place in four categories, and eight awards from the Kentucky News Photographers Association, including First Place in three categories.

WLUC (NBC), Marquette, Michigan, currently holds the title of "Station of the Year" by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. It also received six merit awards and seven best in category awards.

WNDU (NBC), South Bend, Indiana, was recognized as "Station of the Year" by the Indiana Broadcasters Association along with three other high honors including Best Newscast, Best Weathercast and Best Breaking News. In addition, WNDU received three Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, including top honors in two categories. WNDU was also nominated for an Emmy Award.

WRDW (CBS), Augusta, Georgia, was recognized by the Southeast Chapter of NATAS for Excellence In My Market (EMMAS), with top honors for Investigative Reporting, Sports Reporting, Best Reporter, and News Promotion.

WSAZ (NBC), Charleston-Huntington, West Virginia, has been selected as the "Station of the Year" by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association. The association also honored WSAZ with two additional awards.

WTAP (NBC), Parkersburg, West Virginia, was honored with six Associated Press Broadcasters Awards for Virginia/West Virginia, including two in the Superior Category and four in the Meritorious Category.

WTOK (ABC), Meridian, Mississippi, took home four Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, including First Place for Best Newscast in the small market division.

WTVG (ABC), Toledo, Ohio, is again the most Emmy-nominated television station in Toledo. It racked up 15 nominations this year, more than all other stations in its market combined.

WVLT (CBS), Knoxville, Tennessee, received three nominations for Regional Emmy Awards. It also took home four Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, including three First Place awards in the large market division.

WYMT (CBS), Hazard, Kentucky, was a finalist for nineteen Kentucky Associated Press Broadcasters Awards and won seven First Place and three Second Place awards in the small market division.

Additional Recognitions

Mike Braun, Vice President of Gray Digital Media, has joined the NAB Digital Officer Committee, an advisory board to NAB's Technology team and Chief Technology Officer focusing on emerging digital and online businesses, issues, policies and technologies.

Jason Effinger, Gray's Chief Digital and Technology Officer, has joined the Board of Directors of Syncbak, a technology company that replicates over-the-air broadcasts for delivery over-the-top (OTT) of the Internet.

Robert Folliard, Gray's Deputy General Counsel, has become Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance (ATBA), a non-profit association of broadcasters, technology companies and content providers working to preserve and promote the efficient and effective use of all television broadcast spectrum.

Kevin Latek, Gray's Chief Legal and Development Officer, has been elected to the Board of Directors of NABEF, a non-profit organization dedicated to reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts of our industry.

About Gray Television:

Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operates television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. We currently own and/or operate 92 television stations across 50 television markets that collectively broadcast approximately 180 program streams including 35 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, 26 channels affiliated with the NBC Network, 19 channels affiliated with the ABC Network and 13 channels affiliated with the FOX Network. We own number-one or number-two ranked television station operations in essentially all of our markets, which collectively cover approximately 9.4 percent of total United States television households. Gray was named "Station Group of the Year" for 2016 by TVNewsCheck, a leading industry publication focusing on news and newsmakers in the broadcast television business.

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