The Folio Awards explore the best reporting on Long Island. Television and radio personalities were selected for their work. But make no mistake about it, this celebration of the past year had an unofficial theme–The Red Carpet is out for CBS.

As we reported last month, WCBS/Channel 2 finalized its takeover of Long Island mainstay Channel 55/WLNY, complete with several hours of new programming using Channel 2 talent. And the Fair Media Council, which oversees the Folios, is ecstatic.

The event’s printed program opens with this message:

“Congratulations, FMC Folio Winners 2012 and Welcome, CBS Long Island.”

The same sentiment was echoed in the ballroom of the Crest Hollow Country Club, where at the conclusion of the National Anthem, video screens read “Welcome to Long Island, CBS News.”

The feeling was kept close to the heart of CBS staffers who participated in the awards program. Wayne Cabot presented, alongside his WCBS 880 afternoon partner Steve Scott. Before leaving the podium, Cabot said, “More than ever Long Island is CBS territory,” to which Scott concurred.

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