Thus far, the Emmys are limited to traditional networks and platforms. However, that is set to change as the Television Academy will be expanding the Emmys to include programs that originated from various digital networks.
“Our industry is aggresively, quickly and creatively evolving the various ways episodic stories are told. Our Board of Governors felt that this expansion of short form categories begins the process of ensuring that Emmy-worthy creativity will be rewarded, irrespective of format or platform. These category changes reflect the broader opportunities that emerging networks and distribution platforms, such as Maker Studios, Fullscreen, Crackle, AwesomenessTV, YouTube Red, Adult Swim and others, are seizing in choosing innovative formats that enable our television community to share stories in novel and entertaining ways,” says Bruce Rosenblum, Television Academy Chairman and CEO.
Starting this year, the Short Form Series categories will be open to series that air over the internet. Some requirements do need to be met before the series is eligible for an Emmy nomination. In order to qualify for a nomination, the series must have a minimum of six episodes with an average run time of 15 minutes or less per episode. There will be three categories in the Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy/Drama, Variety and Reality/Nonfiction – and two categories for Performers in Short Form Series – Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Series for Comedy or Drama, and Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Series for Comedy or Drama.
Furthermore, there will be a category for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program as well. More details regarding the changes can be found at the Emmy website.
Source: Emmys
