WVIA Wins Five Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, Including Overall Excellence WVIA won five Emmy Awards – including the prestigious Overall Station Excellence – at the 43rd annual Mid-Atlantic Awards in Philadelphia Saturday night. The historic Station Excellence win – a first for WVIA in its more than 50 years of service – capped off a successful night of five total awards that highlight the station’s continued pursuit to honor the creative journey, its commitment to the craft, and employees’ passion to tell the stories of the region. “Despite the many challenges we’ve faced this year, our staff has continued to deliver meaningful, impactful content that truly serves the people of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania,” said Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA. “We are incredibly honored to receive five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, including the Overall Station Excellence. This recognition is a powerful testament to the dedication, creativity, and resilience of our entire team. Being recognized for that commitment is an extraordinary moment of pride for all of us.” The Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards celebrate excellence in television production across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. This year saw 749 entries in 80 Emmy categories – 305 of those received nominations. The Overall Excellence category recognizes a television station for the high standard of its overall programming and community service across all its endeavors. WVIA was nominated among three outstanding stations from larger metropolitan markets, including KDKA in Pittsburgh, WGAL in Lancaster, and CBS Philadelphia. This station-wide recognition underscores WVIA’s mission to create programming that not only informs and inspires but also reflects the rich heritage and stories of the region. “To be recognized for Overall Excellence is both humbling and inspiring,” said Ben Payavis II, WVIA’s Chief Content Officer. “It’s a testament to the dedication of our incredible team and a reflection of the responsibility we carry in telling the stories of this region. Stories don’t just entertain us; they connect us. They build bridges between different perspectives and remind us of our shared humanity.” 2025 Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Award Wins for WVIA: Overall Excellence WVIA – Carla McCabe, President & CEO, WVIA Health/Medical News Keystone Edition Health: She Beat Cancer – Tim Novotney, Director/Camera/Editor Historical/Cultural- Short Film VIA Short Takes: The Secret Beneath Hazleton – Tim Novotney, Director/Camera/Editor Human Interest – Long Form Content 2024 Little League Challenger Exhibition – Ben Payavis, Producer; Ken Sawyer, Play-By-Play Announcer; Tom Speicher, Color Commentator News/Program Promotion/PSA – Single Spot NEPA @ Work Trailer – Alexander Monelli, Director/Camera/Editor In total, WVIA received nine nominations for its outstanding work across a variety of genres. Additional nominated projects include: Sports – One Time Special The Forgotten Dynasty: Scranton Eagles – Ben Payavis, Producer/Director; John Mikulak, Director of Photography; Ron Andruscavage, Audio/Drone/Camera Entertainment-Long Form Content The Story of Palma: A Musical Fable – Ben Payavis, Director/Editor; Larry Vojtko, Associate Producer/Score Reader; Erika Funke, Associate Producer; George Graham, Audio Producer/Mix; Lisa Mazzarella, Narrator/Associate Producer; Ron Andruscavage, Production Manager Magazine ProgramNEPA @ Work -Alexander Monelli, Director/Camera/Editor VIA Short Takes #503 – Ben Payavis, Executive Producer; Alexander Monelli, Cinematographer/Editor/Director; Tim Novotney, Cinematographer/Editor/Director; John Alaimo, Producer/Director/Editor Among the evening’s honorees was WVIA’s Chief Technology Officer Joe Glynn, who was officially inducted into the 2025 Silver Circle Society, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the broadcasting industry over more than 25 years. Click here to find the full list of Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Award recipients
WVIA Honored with Seven American Advertising Federation of NEPA Awards WVIA, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s PBS and NPR station, is thrilled to announce a resounding win at the 2024 American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (AAF NEPA) Awards. Taking home an impressive seven awards, WVIA’s content and creative teams were recognized for their exceptional work in crafting impactful messages that resonate with viewers. “This recognition is a true testament to the dedication and talent of our entire production team,” said WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “At WVIA, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and make a difference. These awards validate our commitment to using that power to serve our community.” WVIA’s award-winning entries spanned a diverse range of categories, showcasing their versatility and ability to deliver impactful messages across platforms. From promotional campaigns to documentaries, their work left a lasting impression on the AAF NEPA judges. “We are incredibly proud of the stories we tell and the messages we share,” continued Ben Payavis II, WVIA Chief Content Officer. “These awards motivate us to keep pushing boundaries and finding new ways to connect with our audiences on a deeper level.” This significant win at the AAF NEPA Awards further solidifies WVIA’s position as a leader in creative storytelling within the region and their dedication to using their platform for positive impact. WVIA received the following seven awards: GOLD (Single Spot)- ROAR Documentary Trailer. GOLD (Single Entry and Best of Show)- The Hooded Graves of Catawissa. GOLD (Integrated Campaigns and Judge’s Choice)- Pizza! SILVER (Television Advertising)- ROAR Documentary. SILVER (Integrated Campaigns)- ROAR Documentary. The award ceremony was held on Friday, March 8th at The FM Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. All winners and professional entries can be viewed here.
