6 Florida Broadcasters Reveals ’24 HOF
• The Florida Association Of Broadcasters will recognize some of the most impactful, inspirational, and influential broadcasting legends during the 2024 Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame Gala and award ceremony. The event will take place on Thursday, June 27 at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach.
The awards presentation celebrates the first-ever class of the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame, who have earned a place in Florida’s broadcasting history. They are the pioneers, the innovators, and the stars of broadcasting whose contributions advanced and revolutionized the industry in Florida.
The introductory class of honorees includes 9 broadcasters from both radio and television, throughout Florida. Hall of Fame inductees were chosen based on their distinguished professional career directly tied to Florida, devoting a minimum of 25 years to the industry. The 2024 inductees are the leading examples of integrity, innovation, achievement, leadership, and contributions to the industry.
Now, let’s meet 2024 Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inductees (several to be inducted posthumously): Ann Bishop (First female news anchor, WPLG/Miami); Bernard “Bernie” E. and Edith B. Waterman (Presidents of Waterman Broadcasting); C. Patrick “Pat” Roberts (President & CEO, Florida Association of Broadcasters); Emerson Eugene “Gene” Deckerhoff, Jr. (Radio Play-by-play announcer of the Tampa Bay Bucs and longtime voice of the Florida State Seminoles; George G. Beasley (Founder & CEO of Beasley Media Group); Johnny Magic (Host of Johnny’s House morning show on WXXL/Orlando); Richard “Dick” M. Lobo (President & CEO of WTVJ & Former Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau); Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (Host of The Rush Limbaugh Show); and William “Bill” J. Brooks (GM of WPTV/Former Chairman of the Florida Association of Broadcasters).
Hall of Fame inductees were chosen from nominations by current and former employees of FAB member station(s). The final award recipients were vetted and selected by the Florida Broadcasters Selection Committee representing the broadcast industry in Florida.
