WBAL Radio in Baltimore has won the 2006 Media Eclipse Award in the
Audio/Multi-Media Internet category for its live coverage of the 131st Preakness
S. (G1). This is the seventh Media Eclipse Award for WBAL, which previously won
in 1978, 1981, 1984, 1997, 2001 and 2004.
WBAL’s program, which was produced by news director Mark Miller, presented
day-long coverage of this year’s Preakness at Pimlico, beginning with reports
from the barn area at 6:00 a.m. (ET) and continuing with reports and stories on the
key connections and festivities during the day. WBAL had reporters interview
veterinarians and racing officials following the injury to Kentucky Derby (G1)
winner Barbaro. The station covered Barbaro’s arrival at the George
D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania’s New
Bolton Center later that evening.
“We are extremely proud to win the Eclipse Award again, and we are grateful
to our CEO David Barrett (chief executive officer of parent company
Hearst-Argyle) and station manager Jeff Beauchamp for providing us with the
resources to not just cover the Preakness but to also devote year-round coverage
to the Maryland horse industry.”
WBAL had 11 producers and reporters at this year’s Preakness. Miller made
special mention of lead reporter Scott Wycoff, who covered the scene from the
barns in the morning and later sent back reports from New Bolton Center; and to
Keith Mills, WBAL morning sports anchor.
Judges for the Audio/Multi-Media Internet category were: Brian Horton of
Associated Press Broadcast; Brian Rublein, former news director of WHAS Radio in
Louisville; and Mike Farrell, racing journalist and former UPI Radio reporter.