WASHINGTON, DC - The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced that comedian Nate Bargatze will be the recipient of its prestigious 2026 NAB Television Chairman’s Award. The award will be presented at the 2026 NAB Show on April 21st in Las Vegas as part of the annual “We Are Broadcasters” event on the Main Stage, where Bargatze will also participate in a fireside chat and Q&A.
Photo (L-R): Nate Bargatze and Mo Rocca
“Nate Bargatze has become one of the most important figures in American entertainment by making comedy that resonates across generations and platforms,” says Nick Radziul, NAB Television Board Chair. “His work demonstrates how broadcast television continues to be the cultural bridge between creators and audiences, delivering unparalleled reach and trusted, must-watch content that sparks shared moments viewers embrace.”
Bargatze has broken multiple venue records, hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards, written a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and hosted two Saturday Night Live episodes with sketches that became instant classics. He also recently won a Grammy for his Netflix special and comedy album, “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze.”
The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) and NAB also announced that Mo Rocca, the award-winning correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, will be the recipient of the 2026 LABF Insight Award. Now in its fifth year, the Insight Award recognizes an individual or organization for an outstanding artistic or journalistic work or body of work that enhances the public’s understanding of the role, impact and evolution of media. Bestowed by LABF and presented at NAB Show, the award honors storytelling that reflects craft, curiosity and lasting cultural significance. Past winners include radio legend Delilah, Soledad O’Brien, 60 Minutes and LeVar Burton.
Rocca has built a distinguished career in broadcast journalism by bringing intelligence and humanity to stories that span politics, culture and history. As a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning since 2011, he has reported on subjects ranging from gerrymandering to the Vatican, where he interviewed Pope Francis, while also profiling Hollywood legends and creating historical portraits of American presidents, often with a fondness for the overlooked.
NAB Show is set to take place from April 18th through April 22nd in Las Vegas. Executive VP Karen Chupka says that while the show will honor its broadcast roots, it will also recognize the shift to streaming, the creator economy and the enterprise business. The show will span several halls that make up the Las Vegas Convention Center, including the North, Central and West Halls. The West Hall will have a focus on business, media and entertainment, and will be home to a sports summit and a streaming summit, as well as a networking lounge. The North Hall will feature the Main Stage, and the Central Hall will be the location of the Creator Lab and the Futures Park. NAB will soon roll out a new app that will allow attendees to connect at the show, make plans and schedule meetings. The app will also offer turn-by-turn directions for those needed assistance finding things.
NAB is anticipating 1,150 exhibitors and close to 50,000 attendees from more than 150 countries. It will announce its programing lineup in the coming days.