RADIO MSBC 2026 Battle of the Bits [Classic] Contest Rules
The Talentmasters (RADIO MSBC) Battle of the Bits [Classic] Contest (“Contest”) will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during the RADIO MSBC 2026 Conference at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown in Cleveland, Ohio.
Eligibility
Contestants must be registered attendees of RADIO MSBC 2026 and must be present during the Battle of the Bits [Classic] session to participate and win. No Purchase Necessary.
How to Enter
To enter, attendees must volunteer to present a radio “bit” live on stage during the Battle of the Bits [Classic] session.
A “bit” may include, but is not limited to:
- A successful phone topic or listener call segment
- A creative station promotion
- A social media campaign
- A community or charitable event
- An on-site activation or listener experience
- Any creative content, promotion, or audience engagement initiative created for a radio station or media brand
Contestants will have a maximum of sixty (60) seconds to present their entry.
Presentations must be verbal only. No audio, video, or slides will be permitted. Physical props are permitted.
Contest organizers reserve the right to limit the number of participants based on available session time. Entries will be accepted for approximately thirty (30) minutes during the session.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Creativity
- Originality
- Local relevance
- Audience engagement and results
- Cross-platform execution
Winner Selection
Following the presentations, audience members and designated judges will vote for their favorite entries using the official RADIO MSBC text-voting system.
The three (3) entries receiving the highest combined vote totals will be declared winners.
Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of eligible entries received and presented during the session.
Prizes
- Grand Prize (1): $500
- Second Place (1): $250
- Third Place (1): $250
Prizes will be awarded via check or Zelle.
Winner Notification
Winners will be announced live on stage during the Battle of the Bits [Classic] session.
Contestants must be present at the time winners are announced.
If a selected winner does not respond or claim their prize within sixty (60) seconds of announcement, the prize may be awarded to the contestant receiving the next highest vote total.
General Conditions
By participating, contestants grant RADIO MSBC permission to photograph, record, and publicly share their participation, presentation, name, likeness, and submitted concept for promotional, educational, and archival purposes without additional compensation.
RADIO MSBC reserves the right to interpret these rules, make decisions regarding eligibility, and modify, suspend, or cancel the Contest if circumstances require.
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The Battle Bits AWARDS Contest Rules
No Purchase Necessary
The RADIO MSBC Battle of the Bits Awards (“Awards Program”) recognizes outstanding creativity, audience engagement, and innovation in radio. Awards will be presented during the RADIO MSBC Awards Lunch on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown in Cleveland, Ohio.
Eligibility
The Awards Program is open to radio station employees, personalities, producers, programmers, digital content creators, promotion teams, and other radio professionals.
No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
How to Enter
Entries must be submitted through the official entry form at RADIOMSBC.com.
Entries may include supporting materials such as:
- Audio
- Video
- Images
- Social media examples
- Presentation decks
- Written descriptions
- Other relevant supporting documentation
All entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM ET on July 19, 2026.
Categories
Entries may be submitted in one of the following categories:
Community Impact Award
Fundraisers, charitable initiatives, community events, listener meetups, local activations, and other efforts that create meaningful in-person connections with audiences.
Creative Use of Social Media Award
Creative, innovative, or highly engaging use of social media platforms to grow audience engagement, build brand awareness, or create compelling content.
Listener Connection Award
Phone topics, listener call segments, in-studio experiences, contests, audience participation efforts, or other initiatives that successfully engage listeners.
Entries are not limited to traditional “bits.” Eligible submissions may include promotions, contests, campaigns, events, digital initiatives, or other creative executions.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Creativity
- Originality
- Local relevance
- Audience engagement and results
- Cross-platform execution
Nominee Selection
A panel of volunteer radio industry professionals, managers, consultants, and programming leaders will review all eligible submissions.
Three (3) nominees will be selected in each category for a total of nine (9) nominees.
Nominees will be notified via email no later than July 25, 2026.
Winner Selection
Following nominee selection, the judging panel will determine one Grand Prize Winner in each category.
A total of three (3) Grand Prize Winners will be selected.
Odds of becoming a nominee depend upon the number of eligible entries received.
Once nominated, odds of winning are approximately one (1) in three (3) within the nominee’s category.
Awards Presentation
Nominees will be invited to attend the RADIO MSBC Awards Lunch on Friday, August 7, 2026, where winners will be revealed in a live awards-show format.
Grand Prize Winners will be announced during the event.
Prizes
Each category winner will receive:
- One (1) custom Battle of the Bits Award Trophy (approximate retail value: $60)
- One (1) cash prize of $250, payable via check or Zelle
Total prize value awarded across all categories: approximately $930.
Publicity Release
By entering, participants grant RADIO MSBC permission to use, display, reproduce, edit, publish, and promote submitted materials, entrant names, station affiliations, and likenesses for educational, promotional, archival, and event-related purposes without additional compensation.
General Conditions
RADIO MSBC reserves the right to verify eligibility, interpret these rules, and make all final decisions regarding submissions, nominations, judging, and awards.
RADIO MSBC reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Awards Program if circumstances beyond its control make such action necessary.
All judging decisions are final.