Summary

The contest is open to all stations receiving the South Dakota state AP report. Out-of-state stations may enter, and there is no requirement that stories involve South Dakota. Advisories were sent on the day following the four days chosen for best newscast and sportscast.

Categories

                1. Series-Documentary: Multipart reports from a regularly scheduled newscast or one-time special broadcast examining a single issue or event. Each station may enter three, 30-minute maximum each.

                2. Spot News: For quality in reporting a breaking story. Entry must be broadcast within 24 hours of the unscheduled event (such as a fire, plane crash or natural disaster). Each station may enter three, ten-minute maximum each.

                3. General Reporting: Coverage of a planned event during a regularly scheduled newscast. Each station may enter three, ten-minute maximum each.

               4. Investigative-Enterprise: In-depth reporting that results in a story that otherwise would not have been reported. Each station may enter three, ten-minute maximum each.

              5. Newscast: For best single newscast based on news judgment, writing editing and presentation. Entries must be from one of four contest days, chosen on a quarterly basis. Each station may enter one, 30-minute maximum.

              6. Sportscast: For best single sportscast based on selection of material, writing, editing and presentation. Entries must be from one of four contest days, chosen on a quarterly basis. Each station may enter one, 30-minute maximum.

                7. Sports Story: For the best single sports story. Each station may enter three, ten-minute maximum.

                8. Best Audio: Best use of audio in a story that places the listener at the scene of an event. Each station may enter three, five-minute maximum each.

                9. Feature: For excellence in news or sports feature material contained within a regularly scheduled newscast. Each station may enter three, five-minute maximum each.

                10. Writing: For best use of the written word to convey a single story to the listener or viewer. A script must accompany the tape. Maximum three entries per station.

                11. Web Site: Criteria include graphics, design, ease of use, information, usefulness and whether it's up to date. One award given for all commercial radio entries.

                12. Sports Play by Play: An unedited aircheck of play-by-play coverage of any sporting event produced by your station. The time limit is 15 minutes.

                13. Talk/Public Affairs: The category provides for a variety of locally produced entries in substance and form, serious or humorous. The subject and format can be anything of importance to the listener, including talk show, caller interaction, interview, debate or other live radio outside a regular newscast. Entry should be an unedited aircheck up to 15 minutes in length.

                14. Overall Excellence: For the most complete general news service during the year. Judges will choose the award winners based on the quality of each station's entries in all of the above categories.

Entry Fee

The fee is $10 for each entry. Each story is considered a separate entry, except in the series-documentary category and in the newscast and sportscast categories. Stations should use standard CDs, one for each entry. Be sure all CDs are clearly marked with the station's call letters, category, title of the entry and names of the entrants.

Eligibility

The contest is open to all stations receiving the South Dakota state news report.

Prizes

A plaque will be awarded for first place in each category and certificates will be awarded for two honorable mentions in each category. One commercial radio station will be chosen to receive an Overall Excellence Award, based on the quality of its entries.