NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that Jordan Wertlieb, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hearst is the 2024 recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award. 

The award will be presented during a black-tie fundraiser on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. This year’s host, presenters, and performer will be announced shortly.

“I am honored by this recognition from the Board of the Broadcasters Foundation,” said Wertlieb. “The Broadcasters Foundation’s mission is to provide financial aid to our colleagues whose lives have been impacted by illness, accident, or natural disaster. I am committed to helping those in need and grateful to all who support this important organization.”

Wertlieb was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hearst in May 2023. He has been a member of the Hearst board of directors since 2013.

Previously, Wertlieb was a senior vice president of Hearst and president of Hearst Television since 2013, responsible for Hearst Television's stations and digital properties (across 26 U.S. markets), two radio stations, and its production company, Hearst Media Production Group. During his tenure, Hearst Television expanded substantially in original television and digital programming, and its stations earned numerous regional and national journalism and community service honors.

Wertlieb is a member of the Broadcasters Foundation Board of Directors and currently serves as its Vice Chair.

“We’re proud to honor Jordan for his distinguished career, commitment to broadcasting, and dedication to the charitable mission of the Broadcasters Foundation,” said Scott Herman, chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “He is a staunch believer in top-quality content that audiences want.”

Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation, commented, “Jordan’s impressive career is matched only by his inspiring commitment to the Broadcasters Foundation. He gives his time and energy to advancing our cause, including attending our recent Media Mixer in New York City, an event designed for junior professionals in broadcasting to meet and network with top-level executives.”

In addition to the Broadcasters Foundation Board, Wertlieb serves on the Board of the National Association of Broadcasting’s (NAB) Leadership Foundation and is a member of the A+E Networks Board. In 2015, he was inducted into the Maryland D.C. Delaware Broadcasting Hall of Fame and, in 2018, to the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. In 2021, he was recognized by the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) with its Lew Klein Award for Leadership and by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) for Lifetime Achievement during the LABF's Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts awards ceremony.

The Broadcasters Foundation Golden Mike Award is presented annually to an individual for their excellence in and commitment to broadcasting, and their ongoing service to the community at large. The award ceremony and dinner attract a who’s who of broadcast media executives and celebrities.

Previous recipients include: Bob Pittman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iHeartMedia; David Barrett, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Hearst Television; Perry Sook, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nexstar Media Group; Emily Barr, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Graham Media Group; Hilton Howell, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Gray Television; and Jack Abernethy, Chief Executive Officer of FOX Television Stations; among others.

The Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease or unforeseen tragedy. Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society.

More information, including how to make a donation or apply for aid, is available at www.broadcastersfoundation.org, or by contacting the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) has announced that this year’s BFOA Golden Mike Award dinner and ceremony will be hosted by Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist and nationally syndicated talk show host Soledad O’Brien. 

The 2023 BFOA Golden Mike Award gala will take place Monday, March 6, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The annual event is the biggest fundraiser for the Broadcasters Foundation, whose sole mission is to provide aid to radio and television professionals in acute need.

“We’re very excited to have Soledad host this year’s Golden Mike Award dinner,” said Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation. “She is a multiple award-winning broadcast journalist whose reporting has brought awareness on numerous issues to the forefront. Combined with her philanthropic endeavors, she is the perfect person to host our special evening.”

As previously announced, this year’s BFOA Golden Mike Award honoree will be Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented during the gala fundraiser to Richard E. Wiley, former chairman, commissioner, and general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and one of the most prominent media and telecommunications lawyers in broadcasting.

Soledad currently hosts the nationally syndicated “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien”, which is produced by Hearst Television. She has anchored shows on CNN, MSNBC, and NBC, hosted projects for Fox and A&E, and contributed to Oxygen, Nat Geo, the PBS NewsHour, and WebMD.

As a result of her coverage of the Haiti earthquake, the 2012 election, and a series called “Kids and Race,” O’Brien was honored with three Emmy awards. Her reporting on Hurricane Katrina and the BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill earned her two George Foster Peabody awards, and her coverage on the Southeast Asia tsunami garnered CNN an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award. She and her husband, Brad, founded the PowHERful Foundation in 2011 following Hurricane Katrina to help young women attend colleges and complete their degrees.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award dinner attracts a who’s who of broadcast media executives and celebrities. Previous Golden Mike recipients include Hilton Howell, Dave Lougee, Emily Barr, David Barrett, Michael Bloomberg, Cathy Hughes and Alfred Liggins, Bob Pittman, Gordon Smith, Jeff Smulyan, Perry Sook, and more. Lifetime Achievement Award recipients have included Lesley Visser, George Beasley, Ed McLaughlin, Bill Hoffman, Charles Osgood, and Dick Clark. 

For information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that Richard E. Wiley, will be receiving the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Wiley is a former chairman, commissioner, and general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and one of the most prominent media and telecommunications lawyers. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has made invaluable contributions to the television and radio industries and will be presented to Wiley during the Golden Mike Award gala on Monday, March 6, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The annual event is a major fundraiser for the Broadcasters Foundation, the only charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcasters in acute need.

“Dick’s commitment to fight for our industry in Washington has given broadcasters the opportunity to grow their business,” stated Scott Herman, chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “His strong belief in our industry has extended to his support of the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation to help those in our business who need it most. We are honored to present him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.”  

“I am honored to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broadcasters Foundation,” Wiley said. “Since arriving at the FCC more than 50 years ago, and co-founding our DC law firm almost 40 years ago, it’s been a privilege to work with broadcasters on landmark innovations including the development of high-definition TV. I’m proud to be a part of this great industry’s evolution, and to support the Foundation’s mission of providing a critical safety net for members of the broadcast profession.”

During his tenure at the FCC from 1970 to 1977, Wiley fostered increased competition and lessened regulation in the communications field. As chair of the FCC's Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service, from 1987 to 1995, he played a pivotal role in the development of HDTV, for which he won an Emmy.

“Dick has been a driving force in the advancement of the broadcast industry for both radio and television,” stated Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “His achievements have allowed our industry to remain competitive in the ever-evolving media landscape, and we are delighted to recognize him for his many accomplishments.”

Wiley is currently chairman emeritus of the law firm he co-founded, Wiley Rein, LLP, which includes a premiere Telecom, Media & Technology practice and is celebrating its 40th year.  

He is credited with nurturing generations of legal talent and has received numerous accolades throughout his storied career, including being named a Washington “Visionary” by The National Law Journal, the “most influential media and telecommunications lawyer in the United States” by the International Herald Tribune, one of the top “100 Men of the Century” by Broadcasting & Cable, and the “Father of High-Definition” television by The Globe and Mail. He was honored by the Broadcasters Foundation in 2014 with the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award.

Wiley joins broadcast luminaries Lesley Visser, Charles Osgood, George Beasley, Ed McLaughlin, and Dick Clark, as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. As previously announced, Jack Abernethy, Chief Executive Officer of FOX Television Stations, will be the 2023 honoree of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award.

For information, or to reserve a seat or table at the Golden Mike Award gala and fundraiser, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations, will be the 2023 honoree of the Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award. 

The award will be presented during a black-tie fundraiser on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) said. 

Abernethy has been at the helm of Fox Television Stations since 2004, overseeing 29 Fox-owned stations in the nation’s largest television markets. The Fox stations are industry leaders based on the growth and success of locally produced programming, which have more than doubled under Abernethy’s leadership, with over 1000 hours of locally produced news per week, more than any other owned-and-operated broadcast group.

“I would like to thank Scott Herman, Tim McCarthy, and the Broadcasters Foundation Board of Directors for this prestigious Golden Mike Award and for their tremendous commitment to helping and supporting broadcasters in need across the country,” Abernethy stated. “Now, more than ever, we must help those in our industry who are facing challenging times so we can continue to encourage and foster the entrepreneurial spirit and journalistic dedication of local newsrooms, which are making an immeasurable impact in their respective communities.”

“We’re proud to honor Jack for his distinguished career, and the success his leadership has brought to the Fox Television Stations,” said Scott Herman, chairman of the BFOA. “A champion of local news and live events, Jack’s vision has propelled the Fox group of stations to the forefront in their markets, earning recognition across the industry.”

“This is the perfect time for this announcement when we are all giving thanks and grateful for others who impact our lives. Jack is one of the most respected and admired individuals in broadcasting,” said Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation. “We’re grateful for his support of the charitable mission of the Broadcasters Foundation, and we’re delighted to have an opportunity to recognize his many contributions to our industry.”

An esteemed broadcaster, in 2018, Abernethy was awarded Broadcasting & Cable’s “Broadcaster of the Year” and named a “Giant of Broadcasting” by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation.  In 2017 and 2018, he was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “35 Most Powerful People in New York Media” and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2012.  Under Abernethy’s leadership, TVNewsCheck named FTS “TV Station Group of the Year.” A graduate of Georgetown, Abernethy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and received his MBA degree from NYU.

The Broadcasters Foundation Golden Mike Award is presented annually to an individual for their excellence in and commitment to broadcasting, and their ongoing service to the community at large. The award ceremony and dinner attract a who’s who of broadcast media executives and celebrities.

Previous recipients include entrepreneur and former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc., Bob Pittman, former Senator of Oregon and President of the National Association of Broadcasters, Gordon Smith, Chairman and CEO of Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Perry Sook, Chairman and Co-CEO at Gray Television Inc. Hilton Howell, Jr., among others. This year’s host, presenters, and performer will be announced shortly.

For information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—Over 270 radio and television broadcasters gathered at the Plaza in New York City on March 14 for the Golden Mike Award Gala put on by the Broadcasters Foundation of America. 

The event honored Hilton H. Howell, Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Gray Television and Atlantic American Corporation, with the 2022 Golden Mike Award and Lesley Visser, the first woman sportscaster to report on all major sporting events, including Super Bowls, World Series, and the Final Four, with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The gala was a fundraiser, raising over $300,000 to support the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, which provides financial assistance to broadcasters in acute need. The annual event returned this year following a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

For more information, to donate, or to apply for aid, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that the hosts for this year’s BFOA Golden Mike Award dinner and ceremony will be husband and wife broadcasters Al Roker and Deborah Roberts. 

Roker is the weather and feature anchor for "TODAY" and co-host of "Third Hour for TODAY" and Roberts is award-winning ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent for "20/20," "Nightline," "Good Morning America," and "World News Tonight with David Muir."

The 2022 BFOA Golden Mike Award will take place Monday, March 14, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The annual event is the biggest fundraiser for the Broadcasters Foundation, whose sole mission is to provide aid to broadcasters in acute need.

As previously announced, this year’s BFOA Golden Mike Award honoree will be Hilton Howell, Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Gray Television and Atlantic American Corporation. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to renowned sportscaster Lesley Visser.

Since its inception 70 years ago, the Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease or unforeseen tragedy. 

For information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

More information about the Broadcasters Foundation of America is available at www.broadcastersfoundation.org

 NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that Hilton H. Howell, Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Gray Television and Atlantic American Corporation will receive the 2022 Golden Mike Award at a black-tie gala on Monday, March 14, 2022, at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City. 

The event marks the return of the Foundation’s biggest fundraiser, which did not take place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It’s been a challenging year-and-a-half, and we are thrilled to honor Hilton and once again present the Golden Mike Award live and in-person,” said Scott Herman, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Looking ahead, our goal remains to provide financial aid for every broadcaster who qualifies.”

The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity devoted exclusively to providing financial assistance to colleagues in broadcasting who are in dire need. Even with the loss of major fundraising events during COVID, more than $1.8 million in monthly and one-time emergency grants will be awarded this year, the group said. 

“The Broadcasters Foundation is often a lifeline for our colleagues,” stated Howell, who also serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “I am honored to be recognized by the Broadcasters Foundation and ask everyone in our business who has made a good living from broadcasting, to consider donating any amount to help our colleagues who have been hit by shattering circumstances.”

Howell is a highly respected broadcaster with over 25 years of experience in broadcasting. He began his career practicing law and spent several years in the insurance industry. In addition to serving on the Broadcasters Foundation’s Board of Directors, he is a former member of the board of directors for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Advisory Council of the Center for Leadership and Ethics for the University of Texas at Austin, and the Advisory Board of Curant Health Care. He is also a member of YPO/WPO, the premier leadership organization of chief executives in the world, and a former member on the NBC Affiliate Board.

Howell has also been appointed by Governor Zell Miller to serve on the board of the Georgia Department of Human Resources and he serves as chairman of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 

For information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—The recipient of the 2020 Golden Mike Award will be Tegna President and CEO Dave Lougee, the Broadcasters Foundation of America have announced. In the press release for the announcement, BFA Chairman Dan Mason called Lougee “an exemplary broadcaster, who leads his team in serving their local markets with journalistic integrity.”

The award will be presented to Lougee at BFA’s annual black-tie gala on March 4, 2020, which also serves as a fundraiser to support BFA’s mission to provide aid to broadcasters in acute need. The gala will be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

“When devastation strikes one of our colleagues, it’s good to know the Foundation is there to help,” said Lougee. “I’m so very proud of the generosity of the many broadcasters who support and donate to the Broadcasters Foundation, and I’m honored to receive thri Golden Mike Award.”

In addition to his role as president and CEO, Lougee also serves on the board of directors for Tegna. He also serves on the board of directors for Broadcast Music Inc. and BFA, and is the immediate past chairman of the NBC Affiliates Board and past chairman of the NAB and Television Bureau of Advertising board of directors.

Past winners of the Golden Mike Award have included Perry Sook, Emily Barr, David Barrett, Michael Bloomberg, Bob Pittman, Gordon Smith and Jeff Smulyan.

NEW YORK--Perry Sook, founder, chairman, president and CEO of Nexstar Media Group -has been named the recipient of the 2019 Golden Mike Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America. He will be honored at the organization's annual black-tie gala fundraiser, Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is an association that helps broadcasters in need. 

“There is no greater testament to broadcasters’ commitment to public service than in times of emergency. From hurricanes to wildfires, news teams across the country consistently brave extremely dangerous conditions to deliver lifesaving news coverage and information to local communities,” observed Mr. Sook. “Many of us at Nexstar have experienced firsthand the devastating effects and extensive damage caused by severe weather and other unforeseen events. That is why we are proud to support the important work of the Broadcasters Foundation in providing both one-time emergency aid and ongoing monthly grants to help our colleagues most in need. I would like to thank Dan Mason and the Broadcasters Foundation for this prestigious Golden Mike Award and the more than 9,000 Nexstar employees who share in this great honor, for the work they do each day to make a positive difference in their local communities.”

“Perry has led the growth of Nexstar with vision and resolve that has benefited the entire television industry,” stated Dan Mason, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation. “As a member of our Board, he has championed our mission of helping broadcasters in acute need and spread the word about the assistance we can provide. He is admired among his colleagues, and it is a privilege to honor him.”

Mr. Sook has over 38 years of professional experience in the television and radio broadcasting industries, covering all facets of the business including ownership and M&A, management, sales, on-air talent and news. He founded Nexstar in 1996 with one local television station in Scranton, Pa. and began building the foundation of what is today the second largest local broadcast television company in the United States, with 171 stations reaching 100 markets and annual revenue in excess of $2.3 billion.

Mr. Sook serves as Chairman of the CBS Affiliates Board, the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) Board of Directors and The Ohio University Foundation Board. He is also a Board Member of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Broadcasters Foundation of America. Mr. Sook was named 2009 Broadcaster of the Year by Broadcasting and Cable (B&C) and was among the honorees inducted into the 2014 B&C Hall of Fame. He was inducted to The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation's 2016 Giants of Broadcasting and Electronic Arts and received The Media Institute’s 2016 American Horizon Award, recognizing his leadership, promoting the vitality and independence of American media.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award dinner attracts a who’s who of broadcast media executives and celebrities. The presenters and performers for this year’s event will be announced shortly. Previous recipients include Emily Barr, David Barrett, Michael Bloomberg, Bob Pittman, Gordon Smith, Jeff Smulyan, and more. 

For information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 orinfo@thebfoa.org.

NEW YORK—With attendees dressed to the nine, the Broadcasters Foundation of America honored Emily Barr and Ed McLaughlin, and raised funds for broadcasters in need during its annual Golden Mike Award gala.

Emily Barr, president and CEO of Graham Media Group, was honored during the event at this year’s Golden Mike Award recipient. In addition, the organization recognized the late Ed McLaughlin with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. The broadcaster previously served as chairman of the BFA. McLaughlin’s widow accepted the award on his behalf.

In addition to the awards handed out, BFA reports that it raised $250,000 during the event to help broadcasters in need, as part of its mission to support broadcasters and their families affected by events or disasters throughout the year.

NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Corporation’s Local Media Group, as the 2017 recipient of its Golden Mike Award, which is presented annually during the organizations black-tie fundraiser for providing aid to broadcasters in need.

Paul Karpowicz

Karpowicz has been the head of Meredith’s Local media Group since 2005 and has overseen its growth to now have 17 owned or operated television stations that reach more than 11 percent of U.S. households. He also serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors for Broadcast Music, Inc., and as a board member for the BFA and Television Board of the NAB. Karpowicz is also an inductee into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

“Paul is an industry leader who has given back to the broadcast community through his dedication and service,” said Dan Mason, chairman of the BFA. “A tireless champion of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, Paul’s contributions have advanced our goal of providing important aid to our colleagues. We are proud to recognize him.”

Karpowicz will receive the 2017 Golden Mike Award during the black-tie gala on Feb. 27, 2017 in New York City.