WKYT wins state-leading total of 12 nominations for 2026 KBA Excellence in Broadcasting Awards

WKYT announced Aug. 27 that it secured 12 nominations for the 2026 Kentucky Broadcasters Association Excellence in Broadcasting Awards, a tally the station said is the highest among Kentucky television stations. The nominations cover multiple areas of local broadcasting, according to WKYT’s report of its submissions and results ahead of the awards process.

The Kentucky Broadcasters Association, which organizes the Excellence in Broadcasting Awards program, selects honorees based on entries submitted by member stations, with nominations announced for qualifying work. WKYT said its 12 nominations reflect a broad range of staff efforts across newsroom and production functions.

WKYT did not list the specific categories or individual nominees in its announcement, but the station framed the number of nominations as a statewide-leading level of recognition within the KBA awards program. The station’s statement emphasizes that it is being recognized across the awards’ categories, rather than in a single area.

Local broadcasters across Kentucky use the awards to highlight work produced for viewers in the Commonwealth, including efforts aimed at informing audiences and improving on-air presentation. WKYT’s announcement places the station at the top of the nominations count for 2026 among television stations in the state, according to the station’s reported comparison.

The nominations arrive as Kentucky stations continue to navigate changes in audience habits and production requirements while meeting the expectations that come with local coverage. For viewers, the award process functions as a peer-driven yardstick for how stations produce and present content, ranging from daily newsgathering to special segments.

WKYT’s announcement did not provide a date for the awards ceremony or the names of winners. The next step for the public will be the KBA’s final selection and announcement of the winners, after nominations are released.

For WKYT, the station’s statement positions the 12 nominations as part of an ongoing commitment to broadcast production and coverage. The recognition also highlights the competitive nature of statewide broadcasting organizations, where stations prepare year-round work for categories in the KBA awards program.