There are nights when the industry celebrates performance… and then there are moments when it celebrates purpose.
On April 13, 2026, the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation quietly delivered one of the most important messages radio and television will receive all year — notifying the winners of the 2026 Service to America Awards, ahead of a June national stage where impact, not format, takes center spotlight.
This is not about ratings.
This is not about who’s number one in the book.
This is about who showed up.
And in 2026, the names attached to that mission represent the full power of broadcasting when it decides to be more than just content.
Among the top honorees this year is Debra OConnell, who will receive the Service to America Leadership Award, recognizing a career defined by using media platforms to elevate national conversations, mobilize communities, and reinforce the role of trusted journalism in uncertain times. Her leadership at ABC News has positioned storytelling not just as information, but as a public service.
Also being recognized at the highest level is Perry Sook, recipient of the Chairman’s Award, honoring his long-standing commitment to localism and the expansion of community-focused broadcasting across one of the largest media groups in the country. Under his leadership, Nexstar stations have continued to lean into local impact even as the industry evolves.
The 2026 class of Service to America Award winners also includes a wide range of station groups and individual outlets that have taken on real-world challenges and responded with measurable results.
Among the television honorees, stations under Gray Television were recognized for large-scale community initiatives that addressed food insecurity and disaster recovery, while Tegna Inc. stations were honored for campaigns focused on education access and youth development. Hearst Television also earned recognition for long-running public service efforts tied to health awareness and community outreach.
On the radio side, the impact lanes were just as strong.
Clusters tied to iHeartMedia were recognized for nationwide campaigns that leveraged scale to drive fundraising and awareness, while stations connected to Audacy Inc. were honored for hyper-local initiatives that delivered direct community engagement in markets across the country. Cumulus Media stations also appeared among the recognized groups, reinforcing that large operators still have the ability to create meaningful local impact when the focus is right.
And then there are the local stations — the ones that don’t always get the national spotlight but consistently deliver when their communities need them most.
Stations across small and mid-sized markets were recognized for initiatives ranging from mental health awareness campaigns to veteran support programs to emergency response coordination during severe weather events. These are the broadcasters who understand that the microphone is not just a tool — it’s a lifeline.
The Service to America Awards traditionally break down recognition across multiple categories, including Overall Excellence, Community Service Campaigns, Education, Diversity and Inclusion, and Public Health initiatives, and the 2026 winners reflect a clear trend — the work being recognized is deeper, longer-term, and more outcome-driven than ever before.
This isn’t about one-day events.
This is about sustained commitment.
That’s the shift.
And it’s a powerful one.
Because in an era where the conversation around radio often leans into consolidation, automation, and efficiency, this awards cycle reminds the entire industry of something that cannot be replaced.
Connection.
Trust.
Presence.
The broadcasters recognized this year didn’t just create campaigns — they created movement inside their communities. They identified real problems and used their platforms to address them in ways that listeners and viewers could see, feel, and participate in.
That’s not programming.
That’s purpose.
And it requires leadership.
It requires teams that believe in the mission.
And it requires a willingness to go beyond the day-to-day grind of keeping a station on the air.
Because this kind of work doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s intentional.
And in 2026, it’s being rewarded.
The ripple effect of these awards is just as important as the recognition itself. Because once these names are announced and celebrated on the national stage in June, every station in America has a decision to make.
Do you watch?
Or do you respond?
Because what’s being recognized here is not out of reach.
It’s a blueprint.
It’s a reminder that even in a rapidly changing media landscape, local broadcasters still have the ability to lead, to influence, and to make a difference in ways no algorithm ever will.
And that matters.
More than ever.
Because while the industry continues to evolve — new platforms, new technology, new competition — the core of what makes radio and television powerful has not changed.
It’s the ability to show up.
In real time.
For real people.
That’s what was recognized on April 13.
That’s what will be celebrated in June.
And that’s what the best broadcasters in this country are still doing every single day.
Not just filling airtime.
But making it count.
And in 2026, that’s the story that deserves to be told.
-JPS