Student Competition Eligibility & Guidelines
Guidelines, rules, and regulations:
OBEA holds an annual competition for outstanding work in television, radio and scriptwriting by Oklahoma higher education students. Each entry judged and critiqued by local media professionals.
Awards will be presented during the OAB/OBEA Student Day on April 9, 2026
All entries are limited to work completed between 1/1/25 & 12/31/25.
Entry Deadlines:
January 23, 2026
Judging:
January 24–February 15, 2026
Results Announced:
February 27, 2026
Submission Forms for 2026 Awards
Eligibility
- Work must be completed by undergraduate students enrolled at OBEA member schools during the perod of 1/1/25 through 12/31/25.
- Faculty and Professionals cannot be involved in producing the entry being judged other than in an advisory capacity.
- It is the responsibility of the faculty member to pick the CORRECT CATEGORY for each student entry. All entry forms must be downloaded into Open Water / OBEA drop box by a faculty member of an OBEA member school.
- Work must demonstrate FCC rules and guidelines.
- Work does not need to have “aired”.
- For works including feed material, the entry must be at least 75% original content.
What is ineligible?
- Work done outside university supervision is ineligible.
- Work produced as part of an internship is ineligible.
- If your link does not direct the judges to the correct entry, it will be disqualified.
- An entry that has been entered in more than one category.
Rules and Conditions
- Submit your entry to your faculty member who will use their login credentials to complete the submission process.
- Exception: Only one Newscast entry per school (judges will view entire show).
- Newscasts should not be entered in the “TV Directing” category.
- All entries except Sports Play-by-Play (TV & Radio) are not telescoped. Entries will include entire program length with judges requested to watch no less than 10 minutes total.
- All entries, audio or video, must be published by using the on-line submission method. Details will be provided to members of the web location prior to the opening submission date.
- All entries must include in the link’s description paragraph the following information: Entry Name, Category Name and Code, Length, Entrant’s Name(s), School. Any category receiving less than three entries will be exempt from the competition.
- Newscast entrants should name the PRODUCER and DIRECTOR, not the anchors.
- If a category begins with three entries and one is disqualified, the judges will award only a 1st and 2nd place winner.
- All final decisions will be determined by the judges.
- Entrants are limited to TWO STUDENTS or ONE CLASS/GROUP name. Names cannot be switched to create new entry.
- Maximum number of entries per category: 3 PER SCHOOL and 1 PER ENTRANT.
CATEGORIES
Commercial
An informative and persuasive message produced for a defined audience to promote buying action. Real spots only. No parodies. Maximum Length: 1:30
Documentary/Series (short or long)
Includes extensive reporting about a topic in documentary form or in a series of reports (2-5). No Maximum entry length. Judges will be encouraged to watch at least the first 10 consecutive minutes. Under 7:00 is short form.
Short Narrative (under 7:00)
Fictional presentation segment or program, such as soap operas, drama, comedy, etc. Student production must be original; script does not. Maximum length: 7:00
Long Narrative (over 7:00)
Fictional presentation segment or program, such as soap operas, drama, comedy, etc. Student production must be original; script does not. Minimum length: 7:00
Feature News Story
A creative news report considered “soft” minutes news that viewers find interesting. Time Limit: 5 minutes
Hard News Story
A news report about issues that have an impact on viewers. Time limit: 5 minutes
Entertainment Talk Program
A feature-based, non-fiction, informational non-news program (although news might be included), talk shows, and/or programs addressing community/campus issues. NO NEWSCASTS. No time limit is required.
Informational Video
Includes Corporate/Instructional
industrial audio/visual presentations for training, teaching or other corporate usage. No Maximum entry length. Judges will be encouraged to watch at least the first 10 consecutive minutes.
Sports Magazine/Talk Program
A featured-based, non-fiction sports information program which may include coaches’ shows or pre/post-game shows. No time limit is required.
Video Essay
Recognizes the role of videograpRehy in original works. Primary message carried by the VIDEO with no narration or sound bites. Must include natural sound, may have instrumental background music.
Maximum length: 5 minutes
Promotional Video
This category includes longer promotional pieces such as "fund-raising pieces" for non-profits, "recruitment films" for athletics or departments, and "promotional documentaries" meant to showcase an organization or idea. Minimum length: 1:30
Music Video
A visual presentation of a musical event/song. Video must be original; entrant must have signed permission of artist. Time Limit: 5 minutes
Station / Programming Promo
Short announcement to inform and attract audiences for a station’s own programming, to create community awareness of the station or of particular programs, or to create or reinforce the station’s image in the community. Length 1:30 or less.
Public Service Announcement
Announcement for charitable or other worthwhile endeavor presented for a not-for-profit organization or motive. Length: 1:30 or less.
Sports Play-by-play
Topical sports package or series. Not a sports segment lifted from a newscast. Time limit: 5 minutes
Sports Story
A news report about issues that have an impact on viewers. Time limit: 5 minutes
News Cast
Newscast produced by students in real-time (to tape) original (first time) production. Post-production is NOT ALLOWED. The newscast is not to be redone with multiple takes or tapings. Entire newscast will be judged on content & production value, not set design. No time limit is required.
Directing
This production must be a live-to-tape multi-camera program with exclusions including commercials, bumpers, opens, closes, etc. Limit one entry per show title. No time limit is required.
Personality Talent Reel
Includes compilation of multiple on-air performances in a variety of situations and circumstances demonstrating announcing and production personality, creativity, and polish. Need not necessarily be news-related. (For all sports reels, enter the Sports Personality Talent Reel Category) Maximum Length: 5 minutes
Sports Personality Talent Reel
Includes compilation of multiple on-air performances in a variety of sports situations. May included topical sports packages, series, "on-air" segments, and / or Play-by-play. Maximum Length: 5 minutes
Commercial
An informative and persuasive message produced for a defined audience to promote buying action. Real spots only. No parodies. Length: 1:30 or less
Long-Form Journalism
Includes extensive reporting about a topic in documentary form or in a series of reports (2-5). No Maximum entry length. Judges will be encouraged to watch at least the first 10 consecutive minutes.
Narrative
Fictional presentation segment or program, such as soap operas, drama, comedy, etc. Student production must be original; script does not. Maximum length: No maximum length, minimum length 5:01
Feature News Story
A creative news report considered “soft” minutes news that viewers find interesting. Time Limit: 5 minutes
Hard News Story
A news report about issues that have an impact on viewers. Time limit: 5 minutes
Entertainment Talk Program
A feature-based, non-fiction, informational non-news program (although news might be included), talk shows, podcasts, and/or programs addressing community/campus issues. NO NEWSCASTS. No time limit is required.
Sports Magazine/Talk Program
A featured-based, non-fiction sports information program which may include coaches’ shows or pre/post-game shows. No time limit is required.
Personality Talent Reel
Includes compilation of multiple on-air performances in a variety of situations and circumstances demonstrating announcing and production personality, creativity, and polish. Need not necessarily be news-related. Maximum Length: 5 minutes
Station / Programming Promo
Short announcement to inform and attract audiences for a station’s own programming, to create community awareness of the station or of particular programs, or to create or reinforce the station’s image in the community. Length: 1:30 or less
Public Service Announcement
Announcement for charitable or other worthwhile endeavor presented for a not-for-profit organization or motive. Length: 1:30 or less
Sports Play-by-play
Includes sports announcing play-by-play and color as a live-event presentation of a sports competition. Entry length: Telescoped 10 minute sample
Sports Story
Topical sports package or series. Not a sports segment lifted from a newscast. Time limit: 5 minutes
Newscast
Newscast produced by students in real-time (to tape) original (first time) production. Post-production is NOT ALLOWED. The newscast is not to be redone with multiple takes or tapings. Entire newscast will be judged on content and production value, not set design. No time limit is required.
Short Script (15 pages or less)
Fictional screenplay for film, television, audio or web scripts using a professional screenplay format.
Long Script (16 pages or more)
Fictional screenplay for film, television, audio or web scripts using a professional screenplay format.
Multimedia Journalism
Must be a journalism-based story and can include a series or documentary. Must be a single subject but can be told in multi-parts to enhance the overall experience of the viewer. Stories must be posted on a website and / or social media for judging. The entry must have at least three multimedia components which includes but not limited to the following: Journalism writing, video, photos, slideshows, audio, hyperlinks, graphics, infographics. The majority of the students' media must be original and media from other sources must be credited.
Social Media Campaign
Promotion / Marketing / Informational
Creation and execution of social media engagement. Launching specific social media campaign to represent and event, client, station, non-profit, or an idea/concept. Show highlights to the campaign (report analytics/results if available).
X-Media
Includes virtual reality, augmented reality, 360 cameras, and advanced technologies. Effective storytelling using new digital storytelling through use of new technologies outside the traditional video and audio categories.
Interactive Media
Includes interactive media via social media applications, website, Twitch, eSports, or any electronic storytelling platform to enhance the viewer's experience where they are in control of the content they choose. Send all links or applications for judging.