WVIA Honored with Five Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) Awards

Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) recognized WVIA with five Excellence in Broadcasting Awards. The honors underscore WVIA’s ongoing commitment to producing high-quality local programming that informs, educates and reflects the communities it serves.

WVIA received awards spanning documentary, public affairs, feature storytelling, marketing, and public service campaigns, highlighting the breadth of the station’s work and its investment in meaningful local content.

The winning programs explored themes ranging from refugee and immigrant experiences and belonging, to access to resources for older adults and aging in place, aviation history, and the importance of judicial independence, and all topics with deep relevance to local audiences. President and CEO of WVIA, Carla McCabe said these projects highlight real people and experiences in the area.

“We’re honored that the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters recognizes the value of this work. These awards belong to our viewers, listeners, members, and community partners who make this storytelling possible,” McCabe said.

2026 PAB Award Wins

• Outstanding Documentary Program
  Making NEPA Home
  • Contributors: Kara Washington, Al Monelli, Ron Andruscavage, Ben Payavis 
    
• Outstanding Television Station Marketing & Promos
  Making NEPA Home — Official Trailer
  • Contributors: Kara Washington, Holly Biondo, Chris Zellers, Caitlin Mackiewicz, Jim Jennings, Ben Payavis II, Carla McCabe 
    
• Outstanding Television Public Service Announcement/Campaign
  Aging Together in PA
  • Contributors: Kara Washington, Holly Biondo, Chris Zellers, Caitlin Mackiewicz, Jim Jennings, Ben Payavis II, Carla McCabe 
    
• Outstanding Television Feature Story/Report/Series
  Wings of the Past: Discovering the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum
  • Contributors: John Alaimo, Kris Hendrickson
    
• Outstanding Television Public Affairs Program/Program Series
  WVIA Conversations for the Common Good: Safeguarding Justice Through Judicial Independence
  • Contributors: Tracy Matisak, Ben Payavis II

Chief Content Officer at WVIA, Ben Payavis II, talked about how the awards reflect on WVIA.

“These awards reflect the care our team puts into telling stories that matter locally… From in-depth documentaries to public affairs discussions and community-centered campaigns, our focus is always on creating content that informs and connects people across our region,” Payavis II said.

Kara Washington, producer, director and editor of Making NEPA Home, expressed gratitude because of the award.

“This acknowledgment means so much to our team and affirms the power of telling meaningful, local stories,” Washington said.

Winners will be recognized at the 2026 PAB Excellence in Broadcasting Awards Luncheon at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11:30 AM. A full list of winners will be available on the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters website.