2006 Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Contest

The 2006 Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Contest is designed to recognize Florida AP member stations for outstanding performance in broadcast journalism. Stations must belong to the AP to enter the competition.

NOTE: February 10th, 2006 , is the DEADLINE to submit entries. Contest rules and entry forms are found online: http://www.ap.org/florida.

Each entry must be on its own cassette (VHS for television, SP speed only; cassette for radio). If the same material is submitted in two categories, duplicate must be provided. There is a LIMIT of two entries per station in each category, except Individual Achievement (explained below.)

EACH ENTRY TAPE MUST BE LABELED with market size, category and station call letters. The reporter's name must be on tapes for Individual Achievement category. Each entry also must be accompanied by two copies of contest entry form attached by a rubber band.

There is a 20-minute time limit for entries, except as noted below. Entries may be accompanied by a 100-word description of their contents. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES IS FINAL, and ties are possible. It is also possible there could be NO award in a category. No AM-FM combo will be allowed to enter the same tape -twice- in the same category.

SPANISH entries welcome.

You must be an AP member to enter. All entries must have aired during 2005 and be the on-air version. An entry cannot be a re-creation.

Entry fees are required to be paid at the same time you send in your entries.

Personal checks are OK.

If corporate checks are not available by deadline, please provide a letter from the station outlining that fact.

Here are the CONTEST DAYS for Best Radio and TV Newscast category ONLY for the 2006 Florida AP Broadcasters contest. Best Sportscast and Best Weathercast are not tied to any of these specific dates.

Stations must choose from one of the following days to submit ONE newscast entry. Stations may also submit a second newscast entry on any date of their choosing.

-- Monday, July 11.

-- Tuesday, August 2.

-- Sunday, August 28.

-- Wednesday, September 21.

-- Thursday, October 20.

-- Friday, November 18.

-- Saturday, December 10.

TELEVISION MARKET DIVISIONS:

Large Market: Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Tampa-St. Petersburg , Orlando .

Medium Market: West Palm Beach , Pensacola , Fort Myers , Jacksonville .

Small Market: All others.

RADIO MARKET DIVISIONS:

Division I: Statewide networks, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach , Tampa-St. Petersburg , Orlando , Jacksonville .

Division II: All other markets.

Associated Press television/radio stations may enter each category TWICE unless stipulated otherwise. An entry in one category also may be submitted in another applicable category, if the proper fees are paid each time.

NOTE: Other TV news organizations, please enter the division based on where your news operation is headquartered.

STUDENTS are welcome to enter all categories if they are paid employees of the station that enters their tapes. All entries must be made through the station.

NON-Florida STATIONS: You may enter if you get the Florida AP wire, your primary coverage area includes Florida and the category you enter involves coverage of Florida news, or news of main Florida interest.

COST:

The fee is $50 per entry. Checks should be made out to Florida AP Broadcasters.

All entries should be sent to:

Florida AP Broadcasters Contest

c/o Rosemarie Mileto

The Associated Press

9100 NW 36th St., Suite 111

Miami , FL 33178

Make sure each non-returnable VHS tape is marked with your station call letters, location, division, category name & category number (such as: TV Division II, Category 1. Newscast), and names of pertinent individuals.

One entry per VHS tape. (Don't put several entries from the same category on one tape).

Please include no more than -three names- of station personnel per entry, for plaques or certificates. Otherwise the winners will automatically be listed as: STAFF EFFORT.

Winners will be announced and awards presented at an evening banquet on Saturday, April 8, 2006 , during the FAPB convention at the Sheraton Safari Hotel & Suites in Orlando .

Questions or comments? Call Suzette Laboy at 1-800-824-5498. Email: slaboy@ap.org.

Contest rules and entry forms are found online: http://www.ap.org/florida.