NBC News has been awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence for a television network. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this is the third year in a row NBC News has been presented the honor.
In accepting the award — one of four for NBC — at last night’s RTDNA Murrow Awards dinner, NBC News President Steve Capus (pictured) praised his staffers, “from journalists you know, to producers you don’t know, desk editors, researchers, contributors, photojournalists, technicians and crews all around the world.”
“This award is for them,” Capus told a packed crowd at the Grand Hyatt ballroom in New York City attended by TVNewser. “But I would also say, it is for all of you, and everyone who has dedicated themselves to this incredibly important craft and this profession: news.”
CBS News won three awards, for Video Feature Reporting, Video Reporting: Hard News, and Video News Series. ABC News won one award, for Continuing News Coverage.
There were also lighthearted moments: after one of the evening’s presenters failed to materialize from the crowd after he was introduced, RTDNA chairman Kevin Benz — left on stage with no
information — turned to the NBC table. “Brian Williams, what do you do now?” Benz asked, just as the presenter finally showed up. (Williams, who can always be counted on for a quick joke, called back, “You go to the men’s room and get him!”)
And for Keith Olbermann, who was one of the evening’s presenters, the venue offered a chance for a touch of self-deprecating humor.
“Great to be here, as always, celebrating the Murrow Awards … and also the simultaneous meeting of all my former employers,” said the CurrentTV anchor and chief news officer.
The RTDNA also presented Distinguished Service Awards to Richard Hottelet, formerly of CBS News, and Al Primo, who launched “Eyewitness News” in 1968.
Benz closed the evening with congratulations to all the winners and a familiar message: “As Edward Murrow would say himself, good night and good luck,” Benz said.
For a full list of winners, along with photos and video of the acceptance speeches, visit the RTDNA website.