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2017 New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards Open for Entries

New Categories for 2017: Heroes, Best Live News Special, Music and Personal Lives Podcasts

New York, NY | January 11, 2017

The 2017 New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards is now open for entries. 

World-wide since 1982, New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards honors the World’s Best Radio Programs℠, receiving entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers from over 30 countries around the globe.

“From hard-hitting investigative journalism to breath-taking theater of the mind, radio today engages listeners as never before across a growing spectrum of genres and platforms. Storytelling, the power of the individual voice, and the immediacy of the medium - all testify to the universal language of radio,” said Rose Anderson, Executive Director, New York Festivals Radio Program Awards. “And so, every year we augment our categories not only to be in sync with the industry but in order to stay ahead of the curve as visionaries around the world raise the bar of what is possible.”

Always in step with the every-evolving nature of the radio industry, NYF added additional categories this year that address the breadth of radio programming emerging in today’s marketplace. NYF's category roster includes the following category updates: Best Live News Special and Heroes Documentary.

With more listeners enjoying programming via their smartphone or tablet, listeners are attracted to podcasts as entertainment on the go. NYF responded to the explosive expansion of podcast consumption as a disruptive force within the radio industry by adding two more Podcast categories for Music and Personal Lives.

New York Festivals Radio Awards Advisory Board is comprised of prominent international executives recognized as thought-leaders in the radio broadcasting industry. These individuals function as a sounding board for the competition’s executive director, offering suggestions for category updates and sharing ideas, trends, and other concerns that impact radio broadcasting. Their guidance insures that the competition is relevant and in step with the ever-changing radio industry.

This year, NYF is proud to announce 2 prominent radio industry executives to the Advisory Board. “With the addition of Michael Harrison and Todd Stack to our Advisory Board,  NYF benefits from their extensive hands-on knowledge of two areas of great growth: talk and podcasts,” said Ms. Anderson. 

Michael Harrison is Editor and Publisher of Talkers, a major trade publication that has served the talk radio, talk television and talk internet industries since 1990. Mr. Harrison is one of America’s leading authorities on radio, communications, and public opinion as it is expressed in the media. He is host for PodcastOne’s “Up Close and Far Out” with Michael Harrison” a weekly podcast geared to “media freaks” around the world. Todd Stack is VP/Talk Production & Operations at Sirius XM Radio, the largest radio company measured by revenue with more than 30.6 million subscribers. Mr. Stack brings over 15 years of broadcast production experience to his Advisory Board role.

New York Festivals Radio Awards enlists jurists from all over the world to become members of the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury includes some of the most recognizable voices and captivating programming producers in the industry. Entries are judged on production values, organization, presentation of information, creativity, and use of the medium. 

In 2016, there were three Grand Trophy Winners: "A New Life in Europe," (BBC) for their intimate account of one Syrian family's journey as they crossed the Aegean to seek refuge in Europe; "The Battle of Britain at 75" (TBI with Snappin' Turtle Productions) for their live program with a complex musical undertaking; and "The Kinder Letters" (Athena Media Ltd.) for their documentary which captures a rare glimpse of post-war Europe through the microcosm of a beloved children's book.           

Since 1990, NYF and the United Nations Department of Public Information have offered the opportunity for the competition’s entrants to be awarded the United Nations Department of Public Information Award. This coveted award honors radio that best exemplifies the ideals and goals of the United Nations.  

Join New York Festivals Monday June 19, 2017 as we honor the World’s Best Radio Programs at an awards ceremony at in New York City. To view the 2016 World’s Best Radio Program Ceremony Gala, please visit: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/media/rp/2016/

The deadline to enter the 2017 World’s Best Radio Programs competition is March 17, 2017. To enter go to: Log In and for additional information go to: Rules and Regulations.

Production Hub is the official media sponsor of the 2017 Radio Program Awards.

Press inquiries should be directed to Gayle Mandel: gmandel@newyorkfestivals.com, Ph: 1 212 643 4800.

About New York Festivals

New York Festivals organizes advertising and programming competitions for the following brands:

AME Awards World's Best Advertising & Marketing Effectiveness℠
The Global Awards World's Best Healthcare & Wellness Advertising℠

Midas Awards World's Best Financial Advertising℠
New York Festivals® | International Advertising Awards®
New York Festivals World's Best Radio Programs℠

New York Festivals World's Best TV & Films℠

Entries to each of the competitions are judged around the world by panels of peers in their respective industries. For more information, go to www.newyorkfestivals.com.