Television Academy Legacy Award Will Honor Groundbreaking Programming

The Television Academy has recently announced the creation of a new major award, the Legacy Award, which will recognize TV programs that have had a lasting impact on audiences and remain relevant to society, culture, and the industry. This marks the first new major award introduced by the Academy in nearly two decades.

The selection process for the Legacy Award will be overseen by the Special Awards committee, formerly known as the Governors Award committee. Candidates for the award will be chosen annually, with submissions accepted from board members, the Special Awards committee, or anyone who sends a letter to the organization.

Television Academy chair Cris Abrego expressed excitement about the new award, stating that it will celebrate groundbreaking programming that has continued to engage audiences over time. Recipients of the Legacy Award will be presented with engraved Emmy statuettes, similar to honorees of the Governors Award.

In order to be considered for the Legacy Award, a TV show must have aired a minimum of 60 episodes across at least five seasons. Additionally, the program must demonstrate continued relevance, influence, or inspiration to a genre of TV, audience, or society and culture. Franchises with multiple series will be considered as a whole entity and will receive one award. It is also noted that no program can receive the Legacy Award more than once.

The addition of the Legacy Award comes after the introduction of the Television Academy Honors in 2007, which recognizes programming that promotes positive social change. Other special awards presented by the Academy include the Hall of Fame, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, and the Governors Award.

Overall, the Legacy Award aims to honor television programs that have made a lasting impact and continue to resonate with viewers across generations. The award may be presented at various events, including the Creative Arts Emmys, the Emmy telecast, the Televerse event, or the Academy’s Hall of Fame ceremony. This new award is a testament to the rich history of television storytelling and the enduring legacy of iconic TV programs.