As member stations prepare to submit their top work beginning in June for the 2026 Spectrum Awards, the Indiana Broadcasters Association is excited to introduce several new categories and competition updates designed to enhance the awards program and reflect the evolving ways broadcasters serve their communities.
In recognition of America’s upcoming 250th Independence Day celebration, IBA has introduced a special one-year-only Spectrum Award called the“Signal of Freedom” for both Radio and Television stations. This award is intended to recognize outstanding locally originated programming and community coverage stations are producing to celebrate this historic milestone in American history.
Radio broadcasters will also notice two significant updates to this year’s competition. IBA has clarified in most categories that radio entries must have aired on traditional AM/FM terrestrial radio. This change is intended to ensure that work submitted for judging reflects content broadcastover licensed radio station frequencies.
Additionally, a new radio category for Play-by-Play Video Streaming is being added to recognize and to encourage the growing amount of high-quality sports streaming that stations are producing online audiences.
“Our Spectrum Awards Planning Committee also found that several updates introduced last year, including specifying air dates for Best Newscast entries and adjustments to the Station of the Year competition, proved to be very successful in helping improve the judging process. As a result, we have continued refining category descriptions and submission language throughout the Call for Entries,” said IBA Executive Director Dave Arland.“We encourage all submitters to carefully review the official Call for Entries before preparing their submissions to make certain they are familiar with the updated guidelines and category requirements,” Arland added.
IBA members can access the Spectrum Awards homepage to review last year’s winners, read the Call for Entries, submit entries beginning June 1, and register for the annual Spectrum Awards dinner event. For the third consecutive year, the event will be held at The Cabaret in downtown Indianapolis. The date for this year’s dinner celebration isTuesday, October 27, 2025.
To Review the Call for Entries [CLICK HERE]
To Access the Spectrum Awards homepage [CLICK HERE]
