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. Please note that entries will be accepted only on VHS format. Advisories were sent on the Monday following the weeks chosen for best newscast, sportscast and weathercast. Members may choose a show from the preceding Monday through Sunday:

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 weeks, 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 weeks, 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 Video: Best use of video in a story. Judges will consider the "eye" of the photographer, not necessarily the subject matter. 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. Spot Weather: For best coverage of a breaking weather event outside of a regular newscast. Can be taken from any day throughout the contest year. Can include in-studio anchors, field reports and multiple updates on a major weather event. Spot Weather can be a duplicate of a story entered under Spot News. Each station may enter three, ten-minute maximum each.

12. Weathercast: For the best-produced weather segment based on content, delivery, graphics and clarity. Entries must be from one of four contest weeks, chosen on a quarterly basis. Maximum length is five minutes. Each station may enter up to three, as long as each is from a different person.

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

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 $20 for each entry. Each story is considered a separate entry, except in the series-documentary category and in the newscast, sportscast and weathercast categories.

Television stations should use VHS tapes with all of the entries in a particular category on the same tape. Be sure all tapes are clearly marked with the station's call letters, the category, the 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. Judges will select one television station to receive an Overall Excellence Award, based on the quality of its overall entries.