Areas of Excellence: The Chapter Awards Committee, in consultation with its requisite awards accounting firm, shall determine the level of excellence for each of the disciplines judged. The first designation determines the score required to receive a nomination. The second designates the score required to receive an award. All entries that receive a score above the nomination level shall receive nominations. Of this group (the nominees), those that receive a score above the designated awards level, shall receive an award. It must always be emphasized that entries do not compete with each other; they compete against levels of excellence. Therefore, in each Area of Excellence, there may be one award, more than one award, or no award in a given category.
Program entries may be entered in only one programming category. In programming categories, an entry is defined as a single program or segment or, in the case of news, one story or a series of stories directly related to each other.
2019 MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL EMMY® AWARD CATEGORIES
NEWS PROGRAMMING
One award, more than one award, or no award (except where noted) may be given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the news program, segment or coverage. Anchors, reporters, photographers, editors, assignment editors, hosts, directors and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry. For any entry designated as a series, a minimum of two reports must be included.
1.Newscast – Evening- Larger Markets (#1-38)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled evening newscast. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.
2.Newscast – Evening- Medium Markets (#39 & smaller)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled evening newscast. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.
3.Newscast – Morning- Larger Markets (#1-38)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled morning newscast. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.
4.Newscast – Morning- Medium Markets (#39 & Smaller)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled morning newscast. Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.
NEWS GATHERING
5. General Assignment Report- Within 24 Hours
For excellence in coverage of a single news story or topic which is assigned, shot, edited and aired within a 24-hour period. Entry may include live and/or taped elements and online content. Time limit: 10 minutes.
COMMENT: This is the basic news reporting done day-in day-out by a News Department. This is for the coverage of planned events and done as planned assignments. No time limit entries should be carefully reviewed to insure that these were assigned reports and not pitched or created reports that would fall under Feature or Special Reports.
6. Spot News
For excellence in coverage of a single, unanticipated news event that is shot, edited, produced and aired within 24 hours. Entry may include multiple live and/or taped elements and online content. Elements of a related Breaking News entry may be included in a Spot News entry but not in their entirety. Time limit: 15 continuous minutes of one news story. COMMENT: This is the “I am here at the bank where this morning the bullets were flying over my head, and in the 2 hours following the police chased the robber to the state line.” The goal is to extend what was done in the simultaneous report to allow the entry of the longer form report. (Note: Regional recipients in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a crystal pillar in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Spot News.)
7. Continuing Coverage- No Time Limit
For excellence in coverage of a single news story over an extended number of reports. Entries will be judged in part on story advancement and should be entered as a composite, but exempt from composite five-lift rule. Time limit: 30 minutes
8. Team Coverage
For excellence by a team involved in covering multiple news stories on a single subject, shot, edited, produced and aired within 24 hours. Entry may include multiple live and/or taped elements and online content. Exempt from composite five-lift rule. Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.
9. Investigative Report- Single Story or Series
For excellence in reporting of a community problem requiring research and investigative journalism. Entry will be judged on the quality and extent of research, the presentation, and the impact of the reporting. Written documentation is required (100-word limit.) Time limit: 30 minutes. (Note: Regional recipients in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a crystal pillar in the National News & Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Investigative Reporting.)
10. Feature News Report- Light Feature
For excellence in reporting of a single news story or topic. Time limit 10 minutes.
11. Feature News Report- Serious Feature
For excellence in reporting of a single serious news story or topic. Time limit 10 minutes
12. Feature News Report- Series
For excellence in reporting of a multi-part feature news story or topic. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
13. News Special
For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only, significant, newsworthy event, occasion or topic. Subject should be an in-depth treatment of current topic. Time limit 30 minutes
NEWS & PROGRAM SPECIALTY
One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the program, segment or coverage. Anchors, reporters, directors, photographers, editors, assignment editors, hosts, writers, and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. For non-news program entries, unless specifically stated, the entry may only contain content from one episode of the series, not multiple installments. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.
- Arts/Entertainment- News Single Story
For excellence in coverage of general entertainment, variety, or visual and performing arts. Time Limit: 10 minutes.
- Arts/Entertainment- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special of general entertainment, visual and performing arts. Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Arts Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special of visual and performing arts. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Business/Consumer- News Feature or Series
For excellence in coverage of business, finance, consumer affairs or economic topics. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
- Crime- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of crimes or other violations of the law. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
- Education/Schools- News Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of schools, teaching or education. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
- Education/Schools- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers schools, teaching or education. Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Education/Schools- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers schools, teaching or education. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Entertainment- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers general entertainment. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Environment/Science- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of science, environmental impact issues, topics or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
- Health- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in a coverage of health, medical topics, or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
- Health/Science/Environment- Program Feature or Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers health, science, medical topics, environmental impact issues, topics or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes.
Health/Science/Environment-Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers health, science, medical topics, environmental impact issues, topics or subject matter. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Historic/Cultural– Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program, or special that covers historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics. Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Historic/Cultural– Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Human Interest- News Feature
For excellence in coverage of stories that appeal to the human spirit. Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Human Interest- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers subject matter that appeals to the human spirit. Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Human Interest- Program/Special
For excellence in a program, or special that covers subject matter that appeals to the human spirit. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Politics/Government-News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of political, civil, government issues or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes
- Politics/Government-Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers political, civil, government issues or subject matter. Time limit: 30 minutes
- Societal Concerns- News Single Story
For excellence in coverage of current issues of societal concern, social ills, community or general public interest.
- Weather–News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of weather in general, weather related topics or subject matter within a news program. Time Limit: 10 minutes. Series Time Limit: 15 minutes.
SPORTS
- Sports- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of a sports NEWS story from a newscast or sportscast or sports news program. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.
- Sportscast
For excellence in a sportscast within a newscast or sports news program. Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Sports- News Feature
For excellence in a coverage of sports in general, sports related topics or sports news program.
Time limit: 10 minutes.
- Sports- Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment on a sports topic (non-news). Time Limit: 10 minutes.
- Sports- Daily or Weekly Program
For excellence in a daily or weekly sports program (non-news). Entry may be live or recorded live. Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast. Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event. Entry may have no post edits except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
- Sports- Program Series
For excellence in a sports limited series (non-news). Entry may be live or recorded live. Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast. Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event. Entry may have no post edits except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
- Sports- Interview/Discussion Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special consisting of sports interview/discussion content that is at least 75% unscripted. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
- Sports- One-Time Special
For excellence in a one-time sports related special program that is not part of a daily or weekly sports program. Entry may be live or recorded live. Entry should have no post edits except for the removal of commercials. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
- Sporting Event/Game – Live/Unedited Program/Special/Series
For excellence in production of a single program, special or series, live or recorded live sports event or game. No post edits. A composite (from one episode or game) is required and may include examples of: Show Open, Graphics Package, Use of Replays, Inserted Pre-Produced Segments, Use of Statistical or Other Prepared Material, Highlights, Standard Coverage (e.g. Routine Innings or Downs) and any additional material at entrant’s discretion. Exempt from composite five-lift rule. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
PROGRAMMING
One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the program, segment or coverage. Hosts, moderators, reporters, directors, photographers, editors, writers and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. For program entries, the entry may only contain content from one episode of the series, not multiple installments. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.
- Documentary
For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured television presentation with dramatic impact of an event, condition or situation of current, cultural and/or historical significance. Time limit 60 minutes.
- Interview/Discussion Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special consisting of interview/discussion material that is at least
75% unscripted. This category is primarily intended for formal interviews where both the
interviewer(s) and the interviewee(s) are visible on camera. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Interview/Discussion Series
For excellence in a program series consisting of interview/discussion material that is at least
75% unscripted. This category is primarily intended for formal interviews where both the
interviewer(s) and the interviewee(s) are visible on camera. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Lifestyle Program- Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program, series or special that deals with everyday life subjects; such as, food preparation, recipes, techniques, home improvement, decoration, renovation, gardening, outdoors, crafts and/or automotive repairs. Time Limit: 10 minutes.
- Lifestyle Program- Program/Special
For excellence in a program, series or special that deals with everyday life subjects; such as food preparation, recipes, techniques, home improvement, decoration, renovation, gardening, outdoors, crafts and/or automotive repairs. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
- Magazine Program/Special
For excellence in a program, series or special consisting of various stories of regional interest designed to entertain and inform. Time limit: 30 minutes.
- Public/Current/Community Affairs- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program, series or special on current issues of societal concerns, social ills, community or general public interest. Time limit: 10 minutes.
52. Public/Current/Community Affairs- Program/Special
For excellence in a program, series or special on current issues of societal concerns, social ills, community or general public interest. Time limit: 30 minutes.
SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS
One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the promotion or commercial. Entries must be regionally conceived, produced and aired. Spots that contain more than 50% of network or syndicator-provided material do not qualify. Music, graphics and pre-edited video constitute such material. Spots may be 5-seconds to 5 minutes in length. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible. If a campaign is entered, a maximum of three spots may be included which are edited together for a single video upload.
53. Commercial- Single Spot
For excellence in commercial production advertising a product, business or service that is conceived, written, created and produced in and for the regional market. Spots may be 5-seconds to 5 minutes in length. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.
54. Promotion- News, Program, PSA- Single Spot
For excellence in announcements that promote a news or program image, a specific story, stories or series, including sports, weather and/or franchise stories, specials and non-news programming. This includes spots that promote a broader station/company image as well as regionally produced spots for network and/or syndicated programming and effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes.
55. Promotion- News, Program, PSA- Campaign
For excellence in campaign announcements that promote a news or program image, a specific story, stories or series, including sports, weather and/or franchise stories, specials and non-news programming. This includes campaigns for news specials, breaking weather, sports specials, etc, and campaigns that promote a broader station/company image as well as regionally produced spots for network and/or syndicated programming.
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (Single Recipient)
One award, more than one award, or no award is given only to the primary recipient listed on each category. Others who may have contributed to the content and execution of the material presented in the entry may purchase plaques to commemorate their participation. These categories are exempt from “double-dipping” rules.
56. Overall Excellence
Awarded to the President/General Manager only for excellence in the overall operations of a television station, news/sports cable system or online media outlet, during the eligibility period. Entry should reflect the organization’s overall local product including any news & sports coverage, other locally produced programs, promotional announcements, on-air examples of events hosted by the organization and involvement in the community, and any further evidence of excellence. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth and efficacy of the organization’s operations, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit performance in sustaining excellence throughout the eligibility year. Exempt from the five segment composite limits, but the entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added. This is not intended to be a “buzz” or demo reel. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis of the organization’s operation, product, accomplishments and achievements. (Note: This category is exempt from “double-dipping” rules.) Entry length shall not exceed 30 minutes.
57. News Excellence
Awarded to the News Director only for excellence in the overall news operation during the eligibility period. Entry should present as many different examples as possible, including, but not limited to: enterprise in general assignment reporting, breaking news coverage, specialty and beat reporting, series, documentaries, continuing coverage of community issues, editorials/commentaries, etc. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth and efficacy of a news operation, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit the news department’s performance in sustaining excellence throughout the year. Exempt from the five segment composite limits, but the entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added. This is not intended to be a “buzz” or demo reel. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis. (Note: This category is exempt from “double-dipping” rules.) Entry length shall not exceed 30 minutes.
58. Community Service
Awarded to the individual most responsible for excellence in programming; whether news or non-news, involving the entire company in a continuing effort to focus interest on, and marshal support for, a worthy community cause. Entry should emphasize the depth, breadth, duration and efficacy of the effort, and must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added. Composite entries are allowed, but entry is exempt from five. segment composite limits. Entry should include a one-page, written synopsis. (Note: This category is exempt from “double-dipping” rules.) Entry length shall not exceed 30 minutes.
CRAFTS ACHIEVEMENT
One award, more than one award, or no award is given for excellence in a specific craft discipline demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals. Each entry may contain a single example of the craft or a composite of material as originally transmitted. Time Limit: 15 minutes.
While craft entrants may submit more than one entry per craft discipline, only one of those entries may be a composite. Elements of the composite may not be separately entered as individual craft entries. Craft awards are intended for hands-on craftpersons, not those that supervise craftpersons.
59. Audio
60. Director- Live or Recorded Live (PL track is preferred)
61. Editor- Program (Non-News)
62. Editor-Short Form (Promos, PSAs, Commercials, Opens, etc.)
63. Editor- News
64. Graphic Arts/Animation
65. Musical Composition/Arrangement
66. Talent- Anchor – News
67. Talent- Anchor – Weather
68. Talent– Sports
69. Talent- Program Host/Moderator
70. Talent- Reporter – Features/Human Interest
71.Talent- Reporter – General Assignment
72. Talent- Reporter – Specialty Assignment
73. Talent- Sports Analyst/Play-by-Play
74. Photographer- News (For news content airing within a newscast. Not eligible: Sports-related content)
75. Photographer- Program (Non-News) (For programs and programming features. Not eligible: Newscast or sports-related content)
76. Photographer- Sports (For sports-related content only)
77. Photographer- Video Essay (Single Camera Only)
For excellence by a single individual covering a single or multi-part news story or program. The video essay creator is the photojournalist and editor, weaving together elements captured in the field to tell the story without a reporter or professional talent track. Entry may not be entered in any other craft or program category.
78. Video Journalist
For excellence by a cross-discipline individual, serving also as photojournalist, editor, talent, and writer; covering a single or multi-part story or topic. Entry may not be entered in any other craft category.
79. Writer- Program (Non-News) (Script Preferred)
80. Writer- News/Commentary/Editorial (Script Preferred)