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2025 Best-in-Market Awards Nominations Now Open - A Comprehensive Overview

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 5:32 GMT by TV Technology

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2025 Best‑in‑Market Awards Nominations Now Open – A Comprehensive Overview

The television industry’s most celebrated benchmark event, the Best‑in‑Market Awards (BIMA), has officially opened its nomination window for the 2025 cycle. Announced on TV Technology’s news portal, the call invites all U.S. broadcast stations and affiliated media outlets to submit their finest work for consideration across a broad spectrum of categories. This article distills the key points of the original announcement, follows the embedded links to further resources, and provides a practical guide for stations planning to participate.

1. What Are the Best‑in‑Market Awards?

BIMA is a yearly, peer‑reviewed competition that recognizes the highest‑quality local content produced by television stations, cable channels, and community broadcasters. The awards, organized by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in partnership with industry leaders, celebrate excellence in news, entertainment, public service, and more. Winners receive a coveted trophy, public recognition at the award ceremony, and marketing assets that highlight their achievements to audiences and advertisers alike.

The 2025 awards cycle builds on a tradition that began in 2015, growing from a handful of categories to more than 30 distinct awards covering everything from Best Newscast to Best Public‑Service Announcement.

2. Nomination Window & Deadlines

The article makes clear that the nomination period runs from May 1, 2025 to June 15, 2025. Stations must submit their entries by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 15 to qualify for that year’s awards. Late submissions are not accepted, so broadcasters should plan early to gather the required materials and complete the online portal.

To help participants stay on schedule, the BIMA website hosts a Calendar of Events link, detailing key dates such as the start of the judging phase (June 20), the announcement of finalists (July 5), and the awards banquet (August 12). The TV Technology article links directly to this calendar, ensuring no deadline is missed.

3. Eligibility Requirements

BIMA is open to a wide range of broadcasters, but the article lists specific criteria:

Stations must have a dedicated local newsroom and must have produced the nominated work within the 12‑month period preceding the submission deadline. For digital‑first entries, the content must have aired on the platform for at least 30 days.

A full list of eligibility nuances is available via a link to the BIMA Eligibility FAQ page, which clarifies questions about ownership structures, simulcasts, and joint ventures.

4. Award Categories – What Can You Submit?

The TV Technology article breaks down the primary award tracks, grouped by content type:

1. News & Information
   • Best Newscast (30‑minute or 60‑minute)
   • Best Investigative Report
   • Best Breaking News Coverage
   • Best Use of Graphics & Visuals
2. Entertainment & Lifestyle
   • Best Reality Show
   • Best Drama Series
   • Best Variety Show
   • Best Lifestyle Programming
3. Public Service & Community
   • Best Public‑Service Announcement
   • Best Community Engagement Initiative
   • Best Educational Series
4. Technical Excellence
   • Best Broadcast Engineering
   • Best Audio Production
   • Best Live Event Production
5. Special Awards
   • Best New Talent
   • Best Emerging Station
   • Lifetime Achievement (for individuals)

Each category has its own set of judging criteria, which the article refers readers to on the BIMA Judging Criteria page. For example, the “Best Newscast” rubric emphasizes story selection, on‑air presentation, visual storytelling, and audience impact.

5. How to Nominate – Step‑by‑Step

The article provides a concise guide to the online nomination process. Broadcasters should:

1. Register an Account on the BIMA portal (a link is provided in the article). New users will receive a confirmation email and an invitation code that unlocks the submission forms.
2. Select Your Category: Choose the category that best fits the piece. The portal prompts the submitter to enter a brief description and provide URLs or upload files.
3. Upload the Final Product: Depending on the category, you may need to upload a video file (MP4, MOV) or a link to a streaming version. File size limits are noted (e.g., 2 GB for news packages, 1 GB for public‑service ads).
4. Provide Supporting Documentation: For categories like “Best Public‑Service Announcement,” you must submit a short press release or impact report. The portal lists mandatory documents and optional supporting material.
5. Pay the Nomination Fee: A per‑category fee of $50 is required (waived for stations that have won a BIMA award in the previous year). Payment can be made by credit card directly through the portal.
6. Confirm Submission: Once all files are uploaded and the fee processed, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number.

The portal’s help center includes a FAQ, a video tutorial, and a contact email for technical support. The article links directly to this help center to ensure submitters can troubleshoot any issues.

6. Judging Process & Finalists

After the submission window closes, a panel of industry experts – journalists, producers, and technical specialists – evaluates entries. The article explains that the judging process follows a double‑blind system: entries are anonymized before being scored. Judges score each submission on a 0‑10 scale across the rubric items, and the top performers in each category are named finalists.

Finalists are announced on July 5, 2025, and winners are revealed at the awards banquet on August 12. Winners receive a trophy, a certificate, and the opportunity to showcase their work at the ceremony. The TV Technology article includes a link to a past winners archive, where readers can see how stations have leveraged BIMA recognition in their marketing.

7. Why BIMA Matters

The article stresses the strategic importance of the awards for local stations. “Winning a BIMA award not only boosts internal morale but also signals to advertisers and viewers that the station delivers top‑quality content,” the piece quotes a spokesperson from the NAB. Furthermore, the awards provide an independent, third‑party validation that can differentiate a station in competitive markets.

The article also highlights case studies: a small market station that leveraged a “Best Public‑Service Announcement” win to secure a new sponsorship, and a digital‑first platform that used a “Best Newscast” award to expand its content library to advertisers.

8. Final Thoughts & Next Steps

• Mark Your Calendar: The nomination window is only 45 days, so schedule time for editing, filming, and uploading.
• Gather a Team: While a single staffer can handle submissions, a small team can ensure the best possible presentation across multiple categories.
• Leverage Resources: The article points to BIMA’s “Submission Guidelines” PDF and a “Best‑in‑Market Checklist” that can streamline preparation.
• Engage Your Audience: Promote nominations internally; a successful entry can rally staff and reinforce station culture.

For the most accurate and up‑to‑date information, broadcasters should visit the BIMA portal and review the full Submission Guide. The TV Technology article serves as a helpful starting point, but the portal contains the definitive instructions, forms, and deadlines.

Quick Reference

By synthesizing the content of the TV Technology announcement and following the embedded links for additional context, this summary provides a full roadmap for stations eyeing the 2025 Best‑in‑Market Awards. Whether you’re a seasoned award‑winner or a first‑timer, the structured process and detailed resources make it feasible to present your best work and gain industry recognition. Happy nominating!