2026 NSMC Production Awards

Here are the 2026 CBI NSMC Award Winners, listed by category. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees! With hundreds of submissions, the competition was steep, and your work stood out among the best in student media.

We encourage you to keep creating, innovating, and telling stories that matter. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, and we look forward to seeing your entries again next year!

Join us in Cleveland, Ohio, October 27–30, 2027, for next year’s National Student Media Convention, where you could be the next winner!

News Reporting

Best Audio Hard News Reporting

1st Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
On the Road: Immigration
2nd Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WSUM 91.7 FM
Janesville Data Center Protests Coverage
3rd Place: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
UNL Car Break-Ins
4th Place: University of Indianapolis, WICR 88.7
Hailey Buzbee Remains Recovered

Best Video Hard News Reporting

1st Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, CitrusTV
Empty Desks: CNY Schools’ Battle to Combat Chronic Absenteeism
2nd Place: Penn State University, Bellisario College Student Media
Fighting to Survive: PA Volunteer Fire Companies Battle Funding and Staffing Challenges
3rd Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
ON THE ROAD: Free the Press
4th Place: Penn State University, Bellisario College Student Media
Anti-ICE Posters Spark Controversy in State College

Best Audio Feature News Reporting

1st Place: Rice University, KTRU-LP
New Air Monitors Help Channelview Track Barge Pollution
2nd Place: University of Texas-Arlington, UTA Department of Communication
Gen Z Socials
3rd Place: Rice University, KTRU-LP
Refugee Nonprofits Turn to Collaboration Amid Funding Cuts
4th Place: Wayne State College, KWSC
E15 in Nebraska

Best Video Feature News Reporting

1st Place: Penn State University, Bellisario College Student Media
Tango with a Twist: Legendary Dance Has a New Role in Health and Healing
2nd Place: Eastern Illinois University, WEIU-FM
Amish Story
3rd Place: Temple University, Temple Update
Revolutionary Gene Therapy Administered at CHOP
4th Place: University of Cincinnati, Media Production Division
Snake Handlers

Best Audio Newscast or Sportscast

1st Place: Indiana State University, WZIS
WZIS News Update
2nd Place: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
KRNU-FM Newscast
3rd Place: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, WRST-FM
Week In Review May 8, 2026
4th Place: University of Southern Indiana, 95.7 The Spin
January 20, 2026 Sportscast

Best Video Newscast

1st Place: Ithaca College, ICTV
Game Over
2nd Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, CitrusTV
News Live at 6 – Wednesday, April 8th
3rd Place: West Texas A&M University, KWTS-FM
The Prairie News – Show 3
4th Place: Ithaca College, ICTV
Evening in America

Documentary & Special Broadcast

Best Documentary Long Form

1st Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
Kids Who Dance
2nd Place: Texas State University, Texas State Television
The Quiet Mind: Evolution of AI in Academia
3rd Place: John Carroll University, Blue Streak Media
JFK: The Cleveland Investigations
4th Place: York College of Pennsylvania, WVYC-FM
The Uninvited Guests

Best Documentary

1st Place: University of California, Berkeley, KALX
Death In The Bay Area
2nd Place: Hillsdale College, Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM
Commander In Chief: Lyndon B. Johnson
3rd Place: Rowan University, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM
Filter: An Examination of Social Media
4th Place: St. Cloud State University, KVSC-88.1FM
ICE in Central Minnesota

Best Documentary Short Form

1st Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
Thin Places
2nd Place: Texas State University, Texas State Television
The Story of Team 379
3rd Place: The University of Akron, Z-TV
Smart Cookies: The Hidden Art: A History of Film Editing
4th Place: The University of Akron, Z-TV
Smart Cookies: The Chaotic Production of the iPhone

Best Special Broadcast — Audio

1st Place: Marshall University, WMUL-FM
Still Making an Impact: Women of the Herd
2nd Place: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Terrascope Radio
Turning the Table
3rd Place: University of California, Berkeley, KALX
Northgate Radio Special: Just Transitions: The Bay’s Next Chapter
4th Place: Marshall University, WMUL-FM
55th Annual Fountain Ceremony Coverage

Best Special Broadcast — Video

1st Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
FOCUS: AI
2nd Place: University of Cincinnati, Media Production Division
Hopscotch
3rd Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
First Mountain Music Festival
4th Place: University of Cincinnati, Media Production Division
The Spirits of Cincinnati

Promotional & Public Service

Best Promo — Audio

1st Place: Michigan State University, Impact 89FM
Thee Hourz o’ Power: Concert
2nd Place: Illinois State University, WZND Fuzed Radio
RedZone Promo
3rd Place: Wayne State College, KWSC
Cryptid of the Week Promo
4th Place: Columbia College Chicago, WCRX
Live in the Loop with Stephanie Haro

Best Promo — Video

1st Place: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
UNL Esports
2nd Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Fall Open House
3rd Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
WTUR Rap Ad
4th Place: University of South Carolina, Student Gamecock Television
Commercial Within a Commercial – Media Fest Commercial

Best Public Service Announcement — Audio

1st Place: Michigan State University, Impact 89FM
Spartan Recycling
2nd Place: University of Texas-Arlington, UTA Department of Communication
Digital Footprint
3rd Place: San Antonio College, KSYM-FM
Summer Meals
4th Place: Texas State University, KTSW-FM 89.9
Texas State’s Bobcat Safe Ride

Best Public Service Announcement — Video

1st Place: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
Be Safe on Scooters
2nd Place: Wayne State College, KWSC
Silence Your Phones
3rd Place: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Titan TV
Phone Awareness
4th Place: Texas State University, Texas State Television
PALS

Combined Division

Best Student Media Website

1st Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
wmscradio.com
2nd Place: Berry College, Viking Fusion
VikingFusion.com
3rd Place: Ithaca College, ICTV
ICTV.org
4th Place: University of Colorado Boulder, KVCU Radio 1190
1190.radio

Outstanding Event Photography

1st Place: University of Indianapolis, UINDY TV
March Madness Music Fest in Downtown Indianapolis
2nd Place: University of Indianapolis, UINDY TV
No Kings Protests
3rd Place: Neumann University, Neumann Media
William Karwoski – Camp Out for Hunger Coverage
4th Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WSUM 91.7 FM
Snake On The Lake Music Festival 2025

Best Social Media Presence

1st Place: University of South Carolina, WUSC
WUSC Instagram
2nd Place: The University of Akron, WZIP-FM
WZIP Instagram
3rd Place: Loyola University Maryland, WLOY Loyola Radio
WLOY Instagram
4th Place: John Carroll University, Blue Streak Media
JCU Studios Instagram

Film

Short Film Fiction

1st Place: University of Texas at Dallas, UTD-TV
Immensity Of Vacancy
2nd Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, Television, Radio and Film Department
Up My Sleeve
3rd Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
Long Play
4th Place: Messiah University, YBTV-The Pulse
Reflections

Digital Shorts

1st Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
Envision Film Festival Open
2nd Place: York College of Pennsylvania, WVYC-FM
Far From Home: A Video Poem
3rd Place: West Texas A&M University, KWTS-FM
WT Student Counseling Services
4th Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
Silent Night Teaser

Long Film Fiction

1st Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
So Tender A Flame
2nd Place: University of Texas at Dallas, UTD-TV
You Any Good
3rd Place: Wayne State College, KWSC
Vergete Moderland
4th Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
South Shore

Sports

Best Sports Reporting — Video

1st Place: Appalachian State University, AppTV
The D1 Dream
2nd Place: St. Cloud State University, UTVS Television
Lift Heavy, Live Strong: Joshua Neumann’s Story
3rd Place: Appalachian State University, AppTV
The Road to 500 Strikeouts
4th Place: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
Pius Jr. Bolt Football Kicks Off Inaugural Season

Best Sports Reporting — Audio

1st Place: Marshall University, WMUL-FM
Marshall Volleyball Needs One More Win
2nd Place: Encinal Junior/Senior High School, 96.1 KJTZ
Encinal Baseball Plays Tamalpais at Oracle Park
3rd Place: Mississippi State University, WMSV Radio
Transfer Portal Impact on High School Sports
4th Place: Marshall University, WMUL-FM
Marshall Swim & Dive Out, Stunt In

Best Sportscast

1st Place: Temple University, OwlSports Update Productions
Inside the Nest October 14, 2026
2nd Place: Temple University, OwlSports Update Productions
Inside the Nest – Cherry and White
3rd Place: Penn State University, Bellisario College Student Media
After The Whistle: October 17, 2025
4th Place: Montclair State University, RHSN
Live Game: Pregame Women’s Flag Football

Best Sports Show

1st Place: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, WRST-FM
National Championship Pregame
2nd Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WSUM 91.7 FM
WSUM Overtime: Court Trial
3rd Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WSUM 91.7 FM
Toss the Mic Sportscast
4th Place: Rowan University, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM
The Rowan Sports Review

Best Live Sports Broadcast

1st Place: Pittsburg State University, CAPS 13
Pittsburg State vs Fort Hays Women’s Basketball Game of the Week, February 21, 2026
2nd Place: John Carroll University, Blue Streak Media
NCAC Men’s Basketball Quarterfinals: John Carroll vs Oberlin
3rd Place: Berry College, Viking Fusion
Berry College Football vs Trinity University
4th Place: Berry College, Viking Fusion
Berry College Football vs Millsaps College

Best Sports Play-By-Play

1st Place: Ithaca College, WICB
WICB Game Day: 66th Cortaca Jug
2nd Place: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
USC at UNL Football
3rd Place: Michigan State University, Impact 89FM
Michigan State Hockey vs Ohio State
4th Place: Texas State University, KTSW-FM 89.9
Texas State vs Texas A&M Baseball

General Entertainment & Specialty

Best Podcast

1st Place: Midwestern State University, MNG Media
Audio Files from Peace Grove: Episode 2
2nd Place: Hillsdale College, Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM
The Poetry Fix: Old Ironsides
3rd Place: University of Pittsburgh, WPTS-FM
Navigating the Ivory Tower
4th Place: Midwestern State University, MNG Media
You Still Can: Episode 1

Best Live Production

1st Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Dam Jam 2025 ft. Dayglow
2nd Place: Penn State University, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
THON 2026 Pep Rally
3rd Place: St. Cloud State University, UTVS Television
TEDx St. Cloud: Cory Hepola
4th Place: Penn State University, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
THON 2026 Line Dance

Best Regularly Scheduled Entertainment Program

1st Place: University of Minnesota, Radio K
Real College Podcast: What Protest Sounds Like
2nd Place: University of Tennessee-Martin, WUTM-FM 90.3 The Hawk
Detras de la Cancion
3rd Place: Hillsdale College, Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM
Story Behind the Song: Stephanie Childress
4th Place: Illinois State University, WZND Fuzed Radio
Drive-Thru Normal

Best General Entertainment Program

1st Place: Pittsburg State University, CAPS 13
The Frame: Episode 1
2nd Place: Appalachian State University, AppTV
Get Bakin’: Lentil Tacos
3rd Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, Orange Television Network
Cooking with Cuse: Lion’s Mane Steak with Zachary Papaleoni
4th Place: St. Cloud State University, UTVS Television
Huskies on the Road – Season 2, Episode 1

Best DJ

1st Place: Indiana State University, WZIS-FM
Seth Berquist Aircheck
2nd Place: Loyola University Maryland, WLOY Loyola Radio
DJ Bravo
3rd Place: Illinois State University, WZND Fuzed Radio
Brandon Saam
4th Place: Marshall University, WMUL-FM
Nolan Duncan DJ Reel

Best Comedy

1st Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Mixed Signal Pavloving Roommates
2nd Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, Television, Radio and Film Department
Casa Grande
3rd Place: Appalachian State University, AppTV
The Creature
4th Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Tech Deck Fight Club

Best Station Imaging — Audio

1st Place: Illinois State University, WZND Fuzed Radio
WZND Imaging
2nd Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WSUM 91.7 FM
WSUM Imaging
3rd Place: University of West Georgia, WOLF Radio
WOLF Radio Imaging
4th Place: Texas State University, KTSW-FM 89.9
KTSW Station Imaging

Best Station Imaging — Video

1st Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Volunteer Training Recap Promo
2nd Place: University of Alabama at Birmingham, UABtv
TV Man Redemption
3rd Place: Arkansas State University, ASU-TV
ASU-TV “Your Campus Channel” 2025 Promo

Best Audio Music Production

1st Place: Michigan State University, Impact 89FM
Florence Texas Live on The Basement
2nd Place: West Texas A&M University, KWTS-FM
Live Lounge: Nelson McKinney
3rd Place: Ohio University, ACRN
Twerp – ACRN Radio Residency
4th Place: Texas State University, KTSW-FM 89.9
KTSW Studio C: Chasing Tigers

Best Video Music Production

1st Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Orange Cat IQ Test | Locals Live
2nd Place: Penn State University, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
THON 2026 Fitz and the Tantrums Performance
3rd Place: Oregon State University, KBVR-TV
Molly Martinka | Locals Live
4th Place: Ohio University, ACRN
The Laughing Chimes – ACRN In-Studio

Best Audio Interview

1st Place: University of Southern Indiana, 95.7 The Spin
Ali Saunders: Basketball Star
2nd Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
Aaron de Jesus from “1776” Interview
3rd Place: University of Cincinnati, Bearcast Media
Off the Record
4th Place: Illinois State University, WZND Fuzed Radio
Sharon Chung Interview

Best Video Interview

1st Place: St. Cloud State University, UTVS Television
On the Pitch: Gretta MacDonald
2nd Place: Taylor University, Film & Media Arts
WTUR Interview with Ian MacGinnis
3rd Place: Ithaca College, ICTV
The Director’s Chair
4th Place: Appalachian State University, AppTV
A Game Live | Brittney Whiteside

Outlets of the Year

Video Channel of the Year

1st Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, CitrusTV
2nd Place: Newhouse School of Public Communications, Orange Television Network
3rd Place: Penn State University, Bellisario College Student Media
4th Place: St. Cloud State University, UTVS Television

Radio Station of the Year

1st Place: Montclair State University, WMSC 90.3 FM
2nd Place: Marshall University, WMUL-FM
3rd Place: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WSUM 91.7 FM
4th Place: Illinois State University, WZND Fuzed Radio

Congratulations to all of the 2026 CBI National Student Production Awards winners and finalists!

The 2027 National Student Production Awards competition opens April 1. Save your best work throughout the year, and we hope to see your submissions among next year’s finalists.

We’ll see you October 27–30, 2027, at the National Student Media Convention in Cleveland, Ohio!