The RTDNA website lists the following categories for the Edward R. Murrow Awards. •
Overall Excellence: Entry consists of up to 40 minutes of examples of the previous year's
news coverage and then a single
newscast. •
Newscast: One regularly scheduled newscast from the previous year. •
Breaking News Coverage (Previously known as "Spot News"): Entry may consist of up to 20 minutes of examples of a station's coverage of a single, unscheduled news event. •
Continuing Coverage: Entry may consist of up to 30 minutes of examples showing continuing coverage of a major developing story over an extended period of time during the previous year. •
Feature Reporting: A single report of up to 10 minutes covering a human-interest or profile subject that is not breaking news or investigative in nature. •
Investigative Reporting: Entry may consist of up to 15 minutes of examples of journalistic enterprise on an important issue. •
News Documentary: Up to 60 minutes of coverage of a single subject reported in a single segment addressing a need or needs in the station's market. •
News Series: Coverage of a single subject reported in multiple parts, not to exceed 30 minutes. •
Hard News Reporting: A single hard news report of up to 10 minutes prepared for a newscast that is not breaking news or primarily investigative in nature. •
Sports Reporting: A single packaged report of up to 10 minutes covering a sports-related topic. Anchored segments or stand-alone sports programs and play-by-play are not eligible. •
Excellence in Sound (Formerly 'Use of Sound'): Up to 10 minutes of coverage of a single subject or single segment showing creative use of sound to tell a story. •
Excellence in Video (Formerly 'Use of Video'): An entry up to 10 minutes showing creative use of video to tell a story. •
Writing: Up to three examples from the previous year, not exceeding 15 minutes, that demonstrate excellence in writing that conveys the feeling and significance of events to the listener or viewer. •
Multimedia (Formerly 'Website'): Up to 15 examples of URLs, including the news organization's home page, which demonstrate exceptional news coverage and journalistic skill. •
Excellence in Innovation (new for 2017): Up to 30 minutes of audio or video coverage, or URLS, apps, social feeds, or any other platform that demonstrates an innovative use of content, engagement, technology and/or audience experience. •
Excellence in Social Media (new for 2017): Up to 10 examples of URLs, apps, or other platforms that demonstrate the exceptional use of social media as evidenced by the quality of journalism and the quantity and quality of user engagement. ==Noteworthy winners==