WBFO 88.7FM, recipient of more awards than any other station in the Class 2 category and the area's most listened to National Public Radio (NPR) station, received seven awards - two First Place awards and five Special Mentions in the 2004 New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association (NYSAPBA) Radio Contest.
Eileen Buckley and Joyce Kryszak received the first place team award for Best Continuing News Coverage for their stories on the outbreak of war in Iraq. NYSAPBA judges commented on the "broad" coverage that featured many different people, story angles and the creative writing that both reporters offered.
Joyce Kryszak received the first place award in the Best Feature category for a profile she produced on a local woman suffering from heart disease. "By chronicling the personal experience of a heart disease victim, the feature humanized the alarming statistics that it provided. The well-researched profile was a powerful tool that helped raise awareness about a significant health threat and for giving listeners information about local opportunities to learn more," stated the NYSAPBA judges.
"Both reporters showed creativity, great writing and strong production values. WBFO won more AP awards than any other station in the Class 2 Radio category. Not only did we compete against Buffalo stations, but with those in Rochester, Syracuse and Albany-Schenectady," says Mark Scott, WBFO's news director. "We are lucky to have Joyce and Eileen as part of the WBFO news team."
Eileen Buckley received four special mentions. She was cited for continuing news coverage for her reports during the trial of James Kopp, who was convicted of the 1998 murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian. Eileen also received a special mention in best enterprise reporting for a piece on the heartburn drug Prilosec, which was approved for over the counter use last year. In the best feature category, Eileen was cited for a December 2003 profile of a Russian ballerina who performed "The Nutcracker" in Buffalo and how she reached out to young dancers at an area school. She also received a special mention in the best sports coverage for her report in early 2003 on efforts to save the Buffalo Sabres. The report aired nationally on NPR's "Morning Edition."
Joyce also received a special mention for best enterprise reporting for a report she produced on disparities in arts funding. She focused on how some African-American arts groups found it much more difficult to obtain emergency funding from Erie County than some of the major arts organizations in the area.
In the last decade, the WBFO News Department has received 35 Associated Press Awards, as well as 3 prestigious national awards from the Public Radio News Directors, Inc., and three from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
WBFO's News Team Wins Two AP Awards
WBFO 88.7FM, a major public service of the University at Buffalo, won two awards in the 2003 New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association (NYSAPBA) Radio Contest. The station received one first place award and one special mention. The awards were given on June 21 at the NYSAPBA annual banquet in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Eileen Buckley received the first place honor for the Art Athens Award for General Excellence of Individual Reporting, for her coverage of the Lackawanna Six story. Buckley's reports were broadcast nationwide on National Public Radio and she was featured on Fox News Channel, providing analysis of the Lackawanna Six case.
"Eileen was one of the first reporters on the scene and delivered comprehensive live reports, all unscripted, every half-hour on the evening of the initial arrests," says Mark Scott, WBFO's news director. "She delivered the first reports from Lackawanna for broadcast nationwide on National Public Radio."
Mark Scott received a special mention for Best Interview for his interview with Jim Fagan prior to his induction into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The interview, entitled "Pulse Beat Newscaster," featured vintage sound from the 1960s era of newscasts on WKBW Radio known as "Pulse Beat News."
In the last decade, the WBFO News Department has received 25 Associated Press Awards, as well as 3 prestigious national awards from the Public Radio News Directors, Inc., and three from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
WBFO's News Team Wins Numerous AP Awards
WBFO-FM 88.7 won five awards from the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association at the AP's annual banquet in Saratoga Spring Saturday. WBFO was the most honored radio station in its classification and won more awards than any other station in upstate New York.
WBFO's News and Cultural Affairs Producer Joyce Kyszak received a first place award in the best interview category for a conversation she had with jazz guitarist George Benson. The judges wrote, "Joyce Kryszak conducts an informative and well-paced interview with jazz great George Benson. Good use of his music."
Former WBFO reporter Mike McKay also received a first place award for best enterprise reporting. McKay's story "A Small Town with a Big Business" explored Coudersport, Pennsylvania's growth as the corporate home of Adelphia Communications. The judges said, "Editing and use of sound made the story gel. I almost pictured myself being there or at least 'seeing' the story. It kept my interest, and it's clear a lot of detail went into the story."
McKay also received an honorable mention in best sports coverage for a report on a basketball game some Buffalo police officers held with students at Kensington High School.
News Director Mark Scott was awarded an honorable mention in general excellence in use of the medium for his report on the 25th anniversary of Buffalo's Hellenic Festival.
Scott, McKay and Kryszak received an honored mention in best continuing news coverage for their ongoing reporting on the Seneca Nation of Indians proposal to open casinos in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
WBFO's Audience Numbers Continue to Grow
WBFO's listening audience is the biggest ever, according to the winter 2002 survey of Buffalo area radio listeners conducted by the Arbitron company.
The total number of listeners tuning in WBFO during the course of the week reached 93,400 between January and March. The station's share of the Buffalo radio market was 3.4 percent among listeners 12 years of age and older. According to the Arbitron survey, an average of 5,200 listeners are tuning to WBFO during any quarter hour period.
WBFO ranks as the 11th most-listened to radio station out of the more than 25 stations that are ranked in the Buffalo market. During the morning and afternoon drive-time periods, WBFO is the eighth most-listened to station.
"We're extremely pleased with the results of the Arbitron winter survey," said Jennifer Roth, WBFO General Manager. "They provide concrete evidence that the programming offered by WBFO is attracting a growing number of listeners and financial contributors who value the service."
Morning Edition's audience reached record levels in the winter Arbitron survey. There were 12,600 listeners tuning into the program's 7:00 hour.
Car Talk on Saturday mornings at 10:00 has an audience of 15,300 people, the most-listened to hour in WBFO's 43 year history. For that hour, WBFO ranks third among all radio stations in the Buffalo market.
"The 'Car Talk' numbers are just phenomenal," said David Benders, WBFO Program Director. "There's a huge audience for the car advice and humor offered by 'Click & Clack.' The success of the show counters the oft-cited view of the NPR listener as humor impaired."
Other popular hours include Saturday Blues with Jim Santella and Kim Buckner, All Things Considered Monday through Friday and Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me on Sunday mornings.
WBFO Billboard Campaign and Underwriting Kit Earn Recognition
WBFO, with the design help of Crowley Webb and Associates received a gold award and a silver award at the 2002 Western New York ADDY Awards. The award program is part of the national ADDY awards, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. The gold award was received for the WBFO billboard "Goes In One Ear and Stays" and the silver award was received for the WBFO underwriting kit.
