WASHINGTON—Who said nice comics finished last? Nate Bargatze, dubbed the “Nicest Man in Stand-Up” by The Atlantic, will hit a different stage at April’s NAB Show, when he takes the Main Stage to receive 2026 NAB Television Chairman’s Award.

The chairman's award will be presented to Bargatze—whose 2025 comedy tour, “Big Dumb Eyes,” was ranked as the No. 1-grossing tour in the world by Pollstar—on Wednesday, April 21, during the “We Are Broadcasters” event, where he’ll also take part in a fireside chat and Q&A.

The award honors Bargatze’s cultural impact, record-breaking rise and uniquely unifying brand of comedy, NAB said. His deadpan, self-deprecating, observational style has helped him succeed as a “clean” and apolitical comic, NAB noted, adding that Bargatze has embraced that distinction as unifying in a deeply divided nation.

“Nate Bargatze’s rise underscores the continued ability of broadcast television to build a sense of community and reach large audiences at a time when viewing habits are rapidly changing,” Curtis LeGeyt, NAB president and CEO, said. “His power to create and deliver widespread appeal among the broader public is central to what NAB Show represents and why Nate is such a fitting honoree.”

Bargatze’s “Big Dumb Eyes” tour grossed a reported $77.5 million, according to Pollstar, topping a list including such other top comics as Kevin Hart, Nikki Glaser, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle. In 2024, according to Billboard, his $82.2 million one-year gross set a comedy record.

Bargatze has broken multiple venue records; hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, the highest-rated Emmys telecast in four years; and hosted two episodes of “Saturday Night Live.” His book “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories For a Simpler Mind” was No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, remaining on the list for 11 weeks. He also recently won a Grammy Award for his Netflix special and comedy album “Your Friend Nate Bargatze.”

Bargatze’s footprint is about to grow even more with the Feb. 25 premiere of “The Greatest Average American,” a comedy game show on ABC and Hulu that he will host and executive produce. He also produced and stars in “The Breadwinner,” his feature-film debut, set to be released May 29.

“Nate Bargatze has become one of the most important figures in American entertainment by making comedy that resonates across generations and platforms,” Nick Radziul, NAB Television Board Chair Nick Radziul said. “His work demonstrates how broadcast television continues to be the cultural bridge between creators and audiences, delivering unparalleled reach and trusted, must-watch content that sparks shared moments viewers embrace.”

Past winners of the Television Chairman’s Award, first presented in 2009 to “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer, include magicians Penn & Teller, Jennifer Hudson, Sterling K. Brown, Jim Parsons and Mario Lopez.

For more on NAB Show, set for April 18-22 in Las Vegas, or to attend, visit its website.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) will present the Television Chairman’s Award to renowned magicians and television personalities, Penn Jillette and Teller. The award will be presented at the 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas, NV during the We Are Broadcasters session on Tuesday, April 8, at 10 a.m. on the Main Stage.

Here is NAB's announcement:

The NAB TV Chairman’s Award recognizes individuals for groundbreaking work in one or more television-specific art disciplines. The award was first presented in 2009 to four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe-winning actor Kelsey Grammar. Past recipients include “This Is Us” and “Black Panther” star Sterling K. Brown, television and film actress Kristen Bell, award-winning actor and activist Terry Crews and Emmy-winning host Mario Lopez. Last year’s award went to EGOT winner, entertainment icon and host of “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” Jennifer Hudson.

The We Are Broadcasters event brings together industry leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers who have shaped and continue to redefine the broadcasting landscape. The session will also feature the presentation of the Digital Leadership Award, the Engineering Achievement Award for Radio and Television, and more.

“Penn & Teller have transformed the landscape of television and entertainment, creating a thrilling fusion of magic, comedy, and bold social commentary that continues to resonate with and inspire audiences everywhere,” said NAB Joint Board Chair, Perry Sook. “Their creativity and profound influence have set a new bar for what’s possible in the entertainment world.”

Penn Jillette and Teller’s illustrious career spans more than five decades, beginning with their early days busking on the streets of Philadelphia, to their current status as one of Las Vegas’ most iconic and longest-running headline acts. Their hit series, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, now in its 11th season on The CW, continues to captivate audiences by featuring magicians who attempt to fool the duo for a chance to appear in their Las Vegas stage show.

Their contributions to the television industry have earned numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award, a Writers Guild Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their bold approach to television, including Penn & Teller: BS! and their BAFTA-nominated documentary Tim’s Vermeer, has earned them critical acclaim and expanded the reach of magic into new territories of entertainment and social discourse.

As they celebrate 50 years of pioneering in entertainment, Penn & Teller remain at the forefront of television and live performance, proving that their creativity, humor, and passion for magic are timeless.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters has named  award-winning talk show host, actor, producer and recording artist Jennifer Hudson the recipient of the 2024 Television Chairman’s Award. Hudson will be honored on the Main Stage at NAB Show during the We Are Broadcasters session on Tuesday, April 16 at 9:30 a.m.

The NAB TV Chairman’s Award recognizes individuals for groundbreaking work in one or more specific art disciplines in television. The award was first presented in 2009 to four-time Emmy and two-time Golden Globe-winning actor Kelsey Grammar. Past recipients include “This Is Us” and “Black Panther” star Sterling K. Brown, television and film actress Kristen Bell, award-winning actor and activist Terry Crews and Emmy-winning host Mario Lopez.

“Jennifer Hudson’s distinguished career spans multiple facets of the entertainment industry, from television to music to the big screen and beyond, and makes her well deserving of this award,” said NAB Television Board Chair Pat LaPlatney. “I am honored to present her with the NAB TV Chairman’s Award during NAB Show in recognition of her outstanding work.”

“Jennifer Hudson is in a league of her own,” said Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group. “She is an inspiring force, an expert in her craft, and continues to prove her talent has no bounds and there is no limit to what she can achieve. We are honored to be her creative home and congratulate her on this prestigious award.”

Hudson’s nationally syndicated talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” has received six Daytime Emmy Award nominations and two nominations for People’s Choice Awards. In its second season, the show has featured an impressive lineup of guests including Oprah Winfrey and Shaquille O’Neal, earned her the AAFCA “We See You Award” and NAACP Image Award for Best Talk Show Host. In addition, Hudson was named one of People magazine’s “People of the Year” and one of Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year.” Produced by JHUD Productions and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures and distributed in national syndication by Warner Bros., “The Jennifer Hudson Show” has been renewed for a third season by the Fox Television Stations and Hearst Television.

Over her highly acclaimed career, Hudson has been named one of Time magazine’s “Most Influential People in the World,” received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received NAACP Entertainer of the Year, performed at the Super Bowl, sang for world leaders and even has a day named after her in the city of Chicago.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters has selected two-time Emmy-winning host and actor Mario Lopez to receive the Television Chairman’s Award. The award, which recognizes individuals for significant achievement in one or more specific art disciplines in television, will be presented Tuesday, April 13, during NAB Show Premiere, available exclusively on NAB Amplify.

Presently, Lopez hosts NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and iHeartMedia’s nationwide radio shows "On With Mario Lopez,” "iHeartRadio Countdown With Mario Lopez" and boxing podcast “The 3 Knockdown Rule."

Lopez is a two-time Emmy Award-winning host, actor and producer. He is known for leading “Extra” for more than 10 years. Recently, he co-created and produced “The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia,” which centers on a Latina robotics engineer and her family, and produced and starred in “Feliz NaviDAD,” one of Lifetime Network’s highest-rated Christmas films.

“Through hard work and remarkable talent, Mario Lopez has created a unique brand that has resonated with TV audiences for decades,” said NAB Television Board Chair Emily Barr. “Likewise, his commitment and success in elevating Latinx stories in Hollywood has had a positive impact, and we are excited to recognize his achievements.”

Lopez’s acting credits include NBC’s “Saved by the Bell” and “This Is Us,” the CW series “Jane the Virgin,” Fox’s “Brooklyn 99” and ABC’s “The Rookie.” He has a recurring role on Disney’s animated series “Elena of Avalor” alongside his daughter.

Beyond Hollywood, Lopez is a New York Times best-selling author and was named an Alumni Ambassador of Fitness by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As an ambassador to the BE GREAT campaign, he promotes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and education for children of all ages.

NAB Show Premiere, a special online event, will convene top brands in media and entertainment and offer exclusive content, including the presentation of the NAB Radio Crystal Awards and Crystal Heritage Award, on NAB Amplify, April 12–23. Program highlights include new product launches, executive sessions and networking opportunities.

WASHINGTON—The NAB has chosen to present its 2020 Television Chairman’s Award to “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Terry Crews, an annual honor given out during the NAB Show in Las Vegas in April.

The NAB TV Chairman’s Award, which began in 2009, recognizes individuals for significant achievement in one or more specific art disciplines in television.

In addition to his role in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Crews is a host on “America’s Got Talent” and “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” and also starred in “Everybody Hates Chris” on television. In film, he has starred in action and comedy films like “The Expendables,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Deadpool 2,” “The Longest Yard” and more.

Beyond the screen, Crews was recognized in 2017 as a Time magazine person of the year for speaking out against sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo movement, and does work with the Polaris Project fighting against human trafficking, for which he was recognized by the UN with a Global Generation Award.

“Terry Crews’ unique ability to entertain audiences transcends traditional television, crossing a variety of genres and mediums,” said NAB TV Board Chair Emily Barr. “He is a steadfast advocate for human rights, and we are humbled to present him with this well-deserved honor.”

Crews joins past TV Chairman Award recipients including Kelsey Grammar, Kristen Bell, America Ferrera and Sterling K. Brown.

The NAB will present Crews with the TV Chairman Award during the We Are Broadcasters Celebration on Tuesday, April 21, during the 2020 NAB Show in Las Vegas, which takes place from April 18-22.

LAS VEGAS—If there are any tears from the news that Sterling K. Brown will be this year’s recipient of the NAB Television Chairman’s Award, they are likely to be happy tears, not the gut-wrenching sobs that many fans get when watching Brown in “This Is Us.”

Brown currently stars in the hit NBC drama, for which he has received an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award, becoming the first African-American actor to win a Globe and SAG for TV lead actor. He also received an Emmy and Critics Choice Award for his role in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

Other credits for Brown include “Black Panther,” “Marshall,” and “Army Wives,” with additional appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Insecure,” “Supernatural” and “Criminal Minds.” In 2019, he is slated to star in four films, including “Frozen 2,” “Angry Birds 2,” “The Rhythm Section” and “Waves.”

“Sterling K. Brown is a remarkably gifted actor who continues to break barriers with the range of characters he portrays on TV and the big screen,” said Jordan Wertlieb, NAB Television Board chairman. “We are honored to recognize Mr. Brown for his acting craft and his ability to connect with audiences of all types.”

The NAB Television Chairman’s Award recognizes individuals for significant achievement in the disciplines of television. First handing out the award to 2009 to Kelsey Grammar, the latest recipient prior to Brown was Kristin Bell in 2018.

WASHINGTON—It’s a good time for “The Good Place” star Kristen Bell, as she has been announced as the recipient for the 2018 NAB Television Chairman’s Award, which will be presented at the 2018 NAB Show. The award is presented to individuals for their significant achievements in television, according to NAB’s official press release.

Bell currently stars in the NBC Show “The Good Place.” Her past TV roles include the title role in “Veronica Mars”—which she reprised in a 2014 movie—“House of Lies, ” a guest-starring arc in “Parks & Recreation,” “Unsupervised,” “Deadwood,” “Heroes” and “Party Down.” Her film credits include voicing Anna in Disney’s “Frozen,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “You Again,” “When in Rome” and “Bad Moms.” Upcoming film credits will include the Netflix movie “Like Father” and a voice role in “Teen Titans Go! to the Movies.”

“Kristen Bell charms audiences with a natural mix of poise and humor that she brings to all her roles,” said Jordan Wertlieb, NAB Television Board chairman. “We look forward to welcoming Ms. Bell to this year’s NAB Show and honoring her with this well-deserved distinction.”

[CBS News' Tanner to Keynote NAB Show's Online Video Program] 

The NAB Television Chairman’s Award was established in 2009. Past recipients include Kelsey Grammar, Jim Parsons, Tracee Ellis Ross, Keke Palmer and America Ferrera.

Bell will be presented with the award during the NAB: We Are Broadcasters Celebration on April 10 from 3 – 4:15 p.m.

The 2018 NAB Show will run from April 7-12 in Las Vegas.