WDEL named the regions Outstanding News Operation

WDEL was named the region’s Outstanding News Operation of the Year on Saturday night by the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association.

 

WDEL was honored with a total of 15 awards, including nine first place awards, at a banquet in Ocean City, Maryland, including: 

 

Outstanding News Operation: WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Judges’ comments: Great coverage of the news team on both live and featured stories. Well done and very informative to the listener.

 

Outstanding Newscast: WDEL-FM/AM – “Delaware’s Morning News”

Judges’ comments: This newscast really made me feel like I was caught up on the day’s news so far. There was a good variety of information that seems helpful for listeners as they start their day

 

Best Radio News Anchor: 1st  – Chris Carl

Judges’ comments: Good delivery and timing with energy. Nice transition from sports scores to a serious officer shooting. Good job making sure listeners could hear the correct information, even if it’s on the fly.

 

2nd – Peter MacArthur

Judges’ comments: I appreciate the writing, clarity, and appropriate energy for a morning show. Thank you for easing us into the day

 

Best Reporter: 1st – Mark Fowser

Judges’ comments: Fowser does a good job sharing voices from the community and using sound to tell a variety of stories. The reporter’s work provides deep coverage with emotional sound bites, with good writing. Fowser keeps listeners informed and connected to their community, bringing important moments to the audience with sound that really helps to bring the stories alive.

 

2nd – Mike Phillips

Judges’ comments: Phillips shares important information with flawless live radio reporting, a skill that requires quick thinking, clear writing, and confident delivery

 

Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports:  Sean Greene, WDEL-FM/AM

Judges’ comments: Great sports coverage with special features and play-by-play. Really good job!

 

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: “State Trooper Gunned Down”

Judges’ comments: Great live coverage from the scene. Continued live coverage of the press conference and statements by governor. Really good work by Mike Phillips!

 

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: “State Trooper Gunned Down”

Judges’ comments: Rock-solid coverage of a breaking news situation and its aftermath. The reporting team didn’t get ahead of the story but reported as facts became known and followed along as the story evolved.

 

Outstanding Talk Show:  Rick Jensen

Judges’ comments: Great pieces—each with its own strengths and unique qualities. One felt very personal, like it was speaking directly to a single listener. The other included several engaging segments. Well done!

 

Outstanding Public Affairs:  “Feed a Friend”

Judges’ comments: “Anytime there’s a spotlight and a microphone put on food insecurity, we see people come to us who might not have known about us before.†That quote captures the true impact of this project. This station took initiative, the project needed extensive planning, and clearly promoted the public welfare.

 

WDEL also won second place awards for Outstanding Editorial or Commentary, Outstanding Serious Feature, Outstanding Light Feature and 

Outstanding Website.

 

WDEL competes in the Radio II/Non-Metro category, which includes radio stations in Delaware and Maryland, excluding Baltimore.

 

Draper Media, WDEL’s parent company, won multiple awards throughout the evening between WDEL, CoastTV, WBOC-TV and Delmarva Sports Network.