The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards Gala was held virtually earlier this month. The gala awards the top radio and television broadcasters in Wisconsin. Competition for the 2020 awards was strong with 1,365 entries and 112 stations participating. Entries were judged by professional broadcasters outside of Wisconsin.
Local radio group, Radio Plus, Inc. of Fond du Lac hosting radio stations, AM1170/FM103.3/93.7 WFDL AM, Sunny 97-7, 96-1The Rock, and The Great 98, was presented with five awards. In the Medium Market Radio News and Talk category, news director, Greg Stensland earned an award for Best Hard News/Investigative for his submission of a broadcast titled, “Lakeside Park: A Community Divided.” The story details events surrounding the proposed plan for new attractions at Lakeside Park and controversy over how the plan should be implemented by city officials and local citizens.
Stensland was also recognized with an award in a newly created category, “ Best Pandemic-Related Services To The Community.” Stensland has tirelessly worked to gather and broadcast the latest happenings regarding the pandemic and its effects on Fond du Lac and Dodge County. He’s dedicated the final segment of his popular, Between The Lines, daily radio show to a discussion with the Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer every day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to keep our community up to date on the latest happenings regarding case numbers, spread and the vaccine’s availability. Between The Lines can be heard weekdays at 9:10am and re-played at 5:15pm on AM1170/FM103.3/93.7 WFDL AM.
Stensland also won awards for Best Continuing Coverage for his stories on the pandemic and for Best Newscast.
Stensland has won more than a combined 125 awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and Associated Press.
A ‘Best Sports Play By Play’ award was presented to AM1170/103.3/93.7FM The Source for an exciting basketball broadcast by veteran radio announcer, Steve Winterhack featuring ‘Waupun’s Sectional Showdown against Columbus” in February of 2020. Live local sports coverage is broadcasted on The Source and live streamed regularly for all high school sports. Schedules can be found at radioplusinfo.com.
A “Best Sports Coverage” award was presented to Nick Rusch of 96.1 WTCX for WLA’s Regional Boys BB Championship game vs Iola Scandinavia in February of 2020. This is Rusch’s 10th Sports Award for Sports and Play by Play Coverage for Radio Plus and 15th overall.
Radio Plus, Inc. has garnered over 300 awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association over the years.