LABF Names 2026 Giants of Broadcasting Honorees

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, March 23, 2026 | 4:41pm CT

Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF)

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) has unveiled the honorees for its 2026 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts Awards, recognizing a group of industry leaders for lifetime achievement. The annual luncheon and awards ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, from 11:30am to 2pm at Gotham Hall in New York City.

ABC News Nightline co-anchor Juju Chang, a 2023 Giant honoree, will serve as emcee for the event.

The 2026 class of Giants includes Debra OConnell, chairman of ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks at The Walt Disney Company; David Donovan, president and executive director of the New York State Broadcasters Association; Skip Finley, broadcast owner, operator and author; Jaime Jarrin, the longtime Spanish-language voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers and a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame; veteran broadcaster Deborah Norville; CBS News Sunday Morning anchor Jane Pauley; Salem Media Group CEO David "Dave" Santrella; and veteran sportscaster Suzyn Waldman.

In addition, the Museum of Broadcast and Communications will receive the fourth annual LABF Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award, recognizing its work in preserving and promoting broadcast history. Previous recipients of the award include Steven Portnoy, Hearst Television and historian David Gleason.

LABF Co-Chairs Deborah Parenti and Dave "Chachi" Denes said the awards honor individuals whose contributions have shaped the evolution of the broadcasting industry and continue to influence its future.

Since its inception in 2003, the Giants of Broadcasting awards have recognized more than 270 leaders across radio and television. Proceeds from the luncheon support the preservation and expansion of the Library of American Broadcasting's collection at the University of Maryland, one of the largest archives dedicated to the history of broadcasting.