2025 Hall of Fame

The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees will be inducted during a banquet at the ABA Convention this September. Look for the list of inductees and a brief story on them here in the days ahead.

The Arkansas Broadcaster’s Association Hall of Fame is designed to honor and preserve the legacy of outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of broadcasting in Arkansas.

Through recognition, celebration, and education, we pay tribute to those who have provided the highest level of service to the industry, its viewers, listeners, advertisers, and communities.

We also aim to inspire current and future generations of Arkansas broadcasters to uphold the level of excellence these individuals have demonstrated in their careers.

Previous to the Hall of Fame, the ABA would name a “Pioneer Award Winner” most years. The ABA has not done that in several years. To respect the contribution of those who were Pioneer Award Winners, all are also considered automatic inductees into the Hall of Fame. View all Pioneer Award Winners.

Ed Buckner

Ed Buckner had an outstanding career as Chief Meteorologist at THV11 for 24 years starting in 1996. During his time as chief, he anchored weekday evening newscasts at 5:00, 6:00, 6:30 and 10:00 until taking a leave of absence in 2020 due to health complications that later became indefinite. Ed has been awarded seals of approval from both the National Weather Association (NWA) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS).

Jay Bunyard

Jay Bunyard has been involved in the broadcasting industry for over 30 years. His extensive experience and contributions have made a significant impact on radio stations in Arkansas. Jay has been in radio since he was just a teenager. He grew up and purchased KDQN in De Queen. He has grown his business and now owns stations all over the state. Bunyard is the President of Bunyard Media Group, which owns and operates radio stations in the Arkansas communities of Berryville, Camden, De Queen, Mena, and Nashville.

Sid King

For nearly five decades, Sid King has been a pillar of Arkansas broadcasting and a cherished voice in his community. His career, built on resilience, innovation, and unwavering community service, embodies the very spirit of what it means to be a local broadcaster. Sid’s journey began in 1977 when, at just 23 years old, he built his first radio station from the ground up. Driven by entrepreneurial grit and a love for local storytelling, he laid the groundwork for a broadcasting legacy that would serve generations

Bob Knight

Bob was 23 when he started working at KTLO-AM in Mountain Home in 1968. He and his wife Sue were part of a group who bought the station in 1973. Bob’s wry sense of humor brightened up the day. For over four decades, people in the KTLO listening area started their day with his morning show program’s signature opening: “It’s time to rise and shine”. KTLO-AM was the heritage station in Mountain Home having signed on the air in May 1953.

Tom Nichols

November of 1958 – joined members of the hot springs speech class to start a teen request show on kwfc called the “hs deejays”. Don hopson, on of the staff announcers at the station selected him from the group and trained him, teaching me how to run the control board and he was soon hired as a part time weekend announcer. The station changed call letters to kaab. In the 2nd semester, he transferred to the distributive education program, going to school in the morning and working in radio in the afternoon.