2026 PAB Awards For Excellence In Broadcasting

For Immediate Release: 
March 16, 2026

Alex Holley and John Wilsbach to receive Broadcaster of the Year honors; Bernie Prazenica and Jim Loftus will be inducted into PAB Hall of Fame; 74 Excellence in Broadcasting awards to be distributed to stations throughout the commonwealth.

HARRISBURG, PA – On Friday, April 10, The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters will present its 2026 Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel. More than 70 award winners will be recognized and receive their physical award. PAB will present Broadcaster of the Year honors to Alex Holley and John Wilsbach, along with Hall of Fame inductees Bernie Prazenica and Jim Loftus.

“2026 is bringing another year of exceptional award and honorees for this year’s PAB broadcasting awards.” said Joe Conti, President of the PAB. “This annual event helps to give recognition to our members for their powerful and impactful work within Pennsylvania. We couldn’t be more excited to honor our 74 awardees, as well as our broadcaster of the year and hall of fame inductees. We are honored to continue this event highlighting the spectacular work within the broadcasting community in Pennsylvania.”

The annual event recognizes and celebrates the staff and on-air talent of Pennsylvania broadcast television and radio stations. PAB Awards are presented in various categories including “Outstanding Local Radio Newscast”, “Outstanding Use of Digital Media”, and “Outstanding Television Station Marketing & Promos”. This year, 403 entries were received across 20 different categories, and they were judged by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. The PAB will present 74 awards at the annual luncheon.
PAB will induct Bernie Prazenica (WPVI-TV) into the TV Hall of Fame and Jim Loftus (WBEB-FM/CBS Radio) into the Radio Hall of Fame. The Radio Broadcaster of the Year is John Wilsbach (WMSS/LVC/Harrisburg Heat/Cumulus Media) and the Television Broadcaster of the Year is Alex Holley (WTXF-TV).

The awards presentations also include the Broadcast Now program, which awards teams from local high schools for producing informative videos about careers in the broadcast industry.

Broadcaster of the Year Bios:

Alex Holley has made a lasting impact on the broadcasting industry across the East Coast and Mid-West throughout her time as anchor, reporter, and producer. Starting her career, Alex began in Columbia, Missouri working as a reporter and producer for KOMU-TV. After her time in Missouri, Holley moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina working during morning news programs at WMBF-TV’s. In 2014, Alex came to Philadelphia, now her current home, joining the FOX29 Team as co-host of “Good Day Philadelphia”.
Throughout her time in Philadelphia, Holley has been awarded multiple accolades and opportunities including her own program through FOX29, “Alex Around Town”, highlighting the popular places and events occurring in and around the City of Philadelphia. In 2015 she was honored as a nominee for the Emmy Awards for her converge of Pope Francis’ famous visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. Her enthusiasm, personality, and hard work landed her as Philadelphia Magazine’s 2016 “Best TV Personality”. Holley has and continues to bring exemplary broadcasting to the Philadelphia area, leaving a long-lasting impact on Philadelphia for the past 12 years, and her continued work in the future.

John Wilsbach has spent almost his entire life in the world of broadcasting. Starting from a young age, Wilsbach was involved in his school and district’s radio program. After high school and his time in the Army National Guard, he spent his free time during college working for WOYK 1350 AM locally in York. From there John worked for various radio stations covering local sports in Pennsylvania. Most recently today Wilsbach voice is heard on 8 different stations across Central Pennsylvania with his well-known traffic reports.
Outside of being on the radio, John has also made an impact locally on students in broadcasting. He still produces the local Middletown Area School District WMSS radio show, helping to teach students the ins and outs of broadcasting. Throughout his entire career he has had the honor of receiving multiple PAB awards for his work in sportscasting as well as been inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame of the Capital Area Chapter.

Hall of Fame Bios:

For more than 45 years, Bernie Prazenica has spent his television career working at multiple stations and leaving a lasting impact across the east coast. Starting his career as an account executive for WPTT-TV in Pittsburgh, then moving on to WXEX-TV out of Richmond, VA, Bernie finally then made his way back home to Philadelphia working for WPVI-TV and ABC. During his time with ABC, he became the President and General Manager at the local Raleigh, NC station, helping bring different innovations to the market including the first street level studio in the market and brought a new 10pm news program to Raleigh.
Once back in Philadelphia Prazenica became President and General Manager of 6ABC Philadelphia from 2002-2026, helping to oversee all aspects of 6ABC including its website, app, and streaming services. He has previously received the 2009 Lew Klein Alumni in the Media Award, as well as being inducted into the Philly Ad Club Hall of Fame. Bernie has given his time back to the Philadelphia community, serving on multiple boards including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Corporate Council, The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, and The City Avenue Special Services District.

Jim Loftus has spent almost 50 years in the radio world, have previously served lengthy terms as retired CEO of Times-Shamrock Communications and former COO of 7 Mountains Media. During his time as COO of 7 Mountains Media, he helped operate 150 radio signals across 14 broadcasting markets in Pennsylvania and New York. In 2015, Loftus made his way to Philadelphia becoming the President and CEO of WBEB-FM (B101) Philadelphia, as well as spending well over 10 years holding the title of Vice-President at CBS Radio.
Currently, Jim serves on the board of St. Mary’s Villa Senior Care, as well as on the PAB board. He helped teach the next generation of broadcasters at Temple University for 16 years, leading to his induction into the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2016.

About the PAB:
The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters endeavors to promote collaboration between radio and television broadcast station owners, managers and staff across the Commonwealth. We assist our member stations in serving their communities, audiences and advertisers through FCC licensed free, over-the-air broadcast program operations.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »