Rules and Fees

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2027 Rules and Fees

Entries Accepted: January 4, 2027

Deadline for Entries: February 19, 2027

  • All entries MUST be received by 10:59:59 pm on Friday, February 19, 2027.
  • “Best Newscast” (complete newscast) entries must have aired between: January 24, 2027 and February 6, 2027.
  • All other entries must have aired between February 8, 2026 and February 6, 2027.
  • Only MBA member stations are eligible to participate. 2027 Membership Dues MUST be paid in full.
  • All entries must have aired on an MBA member station or the member station’s digital platforms, unless otherwise noted in the individual category description.
  • It is the responsibility of the station to make sure that entries are submitted in the correct category and that they play. No refunds will be issued for incomplete entries or submissions that won’t play for the judge.
  • All entries must be submitted via a URL. All URLs must be available through July 1, 2027.
  • Most categories require the entry to be submitted as an edited compilation. Entries must comply with time restrictions which may require them to be edited to fit in the time allowed and as a single URL.

Commercial and non-commercial stations will be judged together. Entries are judged by professionals from other states and the decisions of the judges are final.

For a complete list of categories and criteria, please click here.

Finalists will be notified no later than April 2, 2027.

First Place and Second Place will be awarded at the annual MBA Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 5, 2027 at Margaritaville Resort in Lake of the Ozarks.

Television Classes by Market Size:

TV stations will be judged in three separate classes except when indicated otherwise in the category description.

Large Market – Includes stations in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Medium Market – Includes stations in Cape Girardeau and Springfield.

Small Market – Includes stations in all other cities not noted above.

Radio Classes by Market Size:

Radio stations will be judged in three separate classes except when indicated otherwise in the category description.

Large Market – Includes stations in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Medium Market – Includes stations in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Jefferson City, Joplin, St. Joseph, and Springfield.

Small Market – Includes stations in all other cities not noted above.

Fees

Gold level MO-PEP Participants receive 10 FREE entries.
Silver level MO-PEP Participants receive 5 FREE entries.

*All Missouri Public Education Program (MO-PEP) Participants are eligible for half price entry fees. Stations wishing to become MO-PEP Participants should contact Terri Stutheit.
• One discount code per station group will be allowed.
• All free entries must be submitted by the same entrant, at the same time. Cannot share free entries across multiple entrants or submissions.
• Prior to checking out, station General Manager should contact Terri Stutheit to receive the discount code.

Standard Entry (MO-PEP Participant*)

• Small Market Radio: $20 ($10*)
• Medium Market Radio: $26 ($13*)
• Large Market Radio: $30 ( $15*)
• Television All Classes: $36 ($18*)