Primetime Emmy Awards

The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime Emmys are presented in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming. The award categories are divided into three classes: the regular Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to honor technical and other similar behind-the-scenes achievements, and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards for recognizing significant contributions to the engineering and technological aspects of television. First given out in 1949, the award was originally referred to as simply the "Emmy Award" until the International Emmy Award and the Daytime Emmy Award were created in the early 1970s to expand the Emmy to other sectors of the television industry.

The Primetime Emmy Awards generally air every September, on the Sunday before the official start of the fall television season. Since 1995, the Emmys have been broadcast in rotation among the four major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC), each network taking turns to air the ceremony every four years. If NBC broadcasts it, the ceremony is moved to Monday night (in 2006, 2010, and 2014, NBC aired in late-August), so that it does not conflict with NBC's commitment to broadcasting Sunday-night NFL games (due to another conflict, this time with the MTV Video Music Awards, the 2014 ceremony was also shifted to a Monday). The 2018 ceremony and 2022 ceremony, both broadcast by NBC, were moved back to September and aired on a Monday.

History
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) was founded by Syd Cassyd in 1946. The first Emmy ceremony took place on January 25, 1949, at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Tickets cost $5 and only six awards were presented.

The Emmy statuette was designed by Louis McManus. It depicts a winged muse holding an electron, combining visual metaphors for the arts and sciences. The design for the Emmy statuette was chosen after 47 other designs were rejected. The name "Emmy" comes from the nickname "Immy," used to describe the image-orthicon camera tube that was a significant 1940s technical breakthrough in capturing images for television. Because the statue features a female figure holding an electron, the name "Immy" was feminized to "Emmy."

The Emmys originally honored shows produced and aired locally in the Los Angeles area, but soon expanded into a national event in 1952 to honor shows aired nationwide on broadcast television. Originally, there was only one Emmy event held per year to honor shows nationally broadcast in the United States. In 1968, an "Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming" category was added once, but due to the voting rules of the time, judges could opt to either award one or no Emmy, and in the end they decided that no one should be nominated. This snub outraged soap opera writer Agnes Nixon, causing her to write in The New York Times, "...after viewing the recent fiasco of the Emmy awards, it may well be considered a mark of distinction to have been ignored by this group." This eventually led to the creation of the separate Daytime Emmy Awards just for daytime programming, run by the sister organization, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Cable programs first became eligible for the Primetime Emmys in 1988. Original online-only streaming television programs then became eligible in 2013.

Between 1949 and 2001, voting members had to watch submissions at the ATAS or local hotels. From 2002 to 2014, members could watch submissions at home on DVDs. Starting in 2015, members could watch submissions through secure online platforms, with DVDs being eliminated in 2020.

In December 2021, the ATAS and NATAS announced major realignments to the Emmy Awards, accounting for the growth of streaming services by aligning their categories and the ceremonies' scopes around factors such as the themes and frequency of such programming, rather than dayparts:


 * All categories for scripted comedies and dramas, excluding daytime serial dramas (defined as an episodic, multi-camera drama serial that airs on a weekday basis, or a reboot or spin-off of such a series), and programming targeting viewers 15 and younger (which will fall under the new Children's & Family Emmy Awards debuting in 2022) will fall under the ATAS and Primetime Emmy Awards moving forward, regardless of scheduling.
 * Talk shows will be divided between the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards based on "format and style characteristics reflective of current programming in the daytime or late night space".
 * Awards for morning shows will be moved to the News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
 * Categories for game shows and instructional/DIY programming will remain split between the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards for 2022, pending realignment in 2023.

Rules
Among the Primetime Emmy Award rules, a show must originally air on American television during the eligibility period between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. In order to be considered a national primetime show, the program must air between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., and to at least 50 percent of the country. A show that enters into the Primetime Emmy Awards cannot also be entered into the Daytime Emmy Awards or any other national Emmy competition. For shows in syndication, whose air times vary between media markets, they can either be entered in the Daytime or Primetime Emmy Awards (provided they still reach the 50 percent national reach), but not in both. For game shows that reach the 50 percent threshold, they can be entered into the Daytime Emmy Awards if they normally air before 8 p.m (including the former "access hour" from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.); otherwise, they are only eligible for the Primetime Emmy Awards. For streaming television programs, they must be available for downloading or streaming to more than 50 percent of the country, and like shows in syndication they can only enter in one of the national Emmy competitions.

Shows that are offered for pre-sale to consumers, whether on home video devices or via the Web, are ineligible if the pre-sale period starts more than seven days before the show's initial airing. Also, a show that receives what the academy calls a "general theatrical release" before its first airing (either via television or the Internet) is ineligible. The definition of this phrase excludes limited releases for the specific purpose of award qualification, such as screenings at film festivals or the one-week releases in Los Angeles (and, for documentaries, New York City as well) required for Oscar eligibility.

Entries must be submitted by the end of April, even if a show is not scheduled to originally air until the following month when the eligibility period ends in May. Most award categories also require entries to include DVDs or tape masters of the show. For most series categories, any six episodes that originally aired during the eligibility period must be submitted (programs that were cancelled before airing their sixth episode are thus ineligible). For most individual achievement categories, only one episode is required to be submitted; if an episode is a two-parter, both parts may be included on the submitted DVD.

Ballots to select the nominations are sent to Academy members in June. For most categories, members from each of the branches vote to determine the nominees only in their respective categories (i.e. writers vote for writing awards, actors vote for acting awards). As of July 1, 2021, the various TV industry professions were sorted into 29 Peer Groups. All 16,000 members can vote for nominations in the 14 best program categories (including: Drama Series, Comedy Series, Limited Series, Television Movies, Variety Talk Series, Variety Sketch Series, Competition, and Short Form Series). The final voting poll to determine the winners is held in August, and is done by judging panels. In June, the academy solicits volunteers among its active members to serve on these panels. All active members may serve on the program panels; otherwise they are restricted to those categories within their own branch.

Statuette
The Primetime Emmy statuette is made of copper, nickel, silver and gold and takes five and a half hours to make. Each Emmy weighs six pounds, twelve ounces.

The number of statuettes given to winners varies by category. All members of a team are not guaranteed their own trophy. However, winners in large teams (such as writers) can purchase their own trophy for an estimated $400.

Primetime Emmy Awards
The Primetime Emmy Award is awarded in the following categories:

Programs

 * Outstanding Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Drama Series
 * Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
 * Outstanding Reality Competition Program
 * Outstanding Scripted Variety Series
 * Outstanding Talk Series
 * Outstanding Television Movie

Directing

 * Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series

Writing

 * Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series

Lead actor

 * Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Lead actress

 * Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Supporting actor

 * Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Supporting actress

 * Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
The Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards are awarded in the following categories (some of which separately recognize work based on whether a single-camera or multi-camera setup was used):

Programs

 * Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
 * Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
 * Outstanding Emerging Media Program
 * Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
 * Outstanding Game Show
 * Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
 * Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series
 * Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series
 * Outstanding Structured Reality Program
 * Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program
 * Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
 * Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)

Acting

 * Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
 * Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Narrator
 * Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series

Animation

 * Outstanding Animated Program
 * Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
 * Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation

Casting

 * Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program

Choreography

 * Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming
 * Outstanding Choreography for Variety and Reality Programming

Cinematography

 * Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series (Half-Hour)
 * Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program
 * Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program
 * Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour)
 * Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour)

Commercial

 * Outstanding Commercial

Costumes

 * Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
 * Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes
 * Outstanding Period Costumes
 * Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming

Directing

 * Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
 * Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program
 * Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special

Hairstyling

 * Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling
 * Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
 * Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling

Hosting

 * Outstanding Host for a Game Show
 * Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program

Lighting design / direction

 * Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
 * Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special

Main title design

 * Outstanding Main Title Design

Makeup

 * Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
 * Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
 * Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)
 * Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup

Music

 * Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
 * Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
 * Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
 * Outstanding Music Direction
 * Outstanding Music Supervision
 * Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
 * Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics

Picture editing

 * Outstanding Picture Editing for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single-Camera Comedy Series
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality or Competition Program
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program
 * Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming

Production design

 * Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More)
 * Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour or Less)
 * Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)
 * Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series
 * Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special

Sound editing

 * Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour)
 * Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation
 * Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special
 * Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program

Sound mixing

 * Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour)
 * Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation
 * Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program (Single or Multi-Camera)
 * Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)
 * Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special

Special and visual effects

 * Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie
 * Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode

Stunt coordination

 * Outstanding Stunt Coordination
 * Outstanding Stunt Performance

Technical direction

 * Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series
 * Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special

Writing

 * Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Programming
 * Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special

Primetime Emmy Engineering Awards
The Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards are given specifically for outstanding achievement in engineering. They are presented to an individual, company, or organization for engineering developments so significant an improvement on existing methods or so innovative in nature that they materially affect the transmission, recording, or reception of television. The award, which is television's highest engineering honor, is determined by a jury of highly qualified, experienced engineers in the television industry.


 * Engineering plaque
 * Engineering certificate
 * Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development (Primetime Emmy statuette)
 * Charles F. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Award
 * Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development
 * Philo T. Farnsworth Corporate Achievement Engineering Award

Retired categories
A number of awards have been retired throughout the years, including some that have been replaced by similar award categories in the Daytime Emmy Awards, Sports Emmy Awards, and other areas of recognition:


 * Best Live Show
 * Best New Program
 * Super Emmy Award
 * Outstanding Children's Program
 * Outstanding Costumes for a Series
 * Best Specialty Act – Single or Group
 * Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
 * Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
 * Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
 * Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie
 * Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series
 * Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special
 * Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media within a Scripted Program
 * Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media within an Unscripted Program
 * Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie
 * Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series
 * Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)
 * Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
 * Outstanding Short Form Variety Series
 * Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program
 * Outstanding Variety Series
 * Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
 * Program of the Year
 * Best Kinescope Show
 * Best Sports Coverage
 * Best Western Series (1958–59)
 * Outstanding Sports Personality
 * Outstanding Live Sports Special
 * Most Outstanding Live Personality
 * Most Outstanding Kinescoped Personality
 * Outstanding Classical Music-Dance Program
 * Outstanding Program Achievement in Daytime Drama
 * Outstanding Program Achievement by Individuals in Daytime Drama

Overall wins for a performer, program, etc.
Most wins for a network in a single year
 * CBS – 44 (1974)
 * Netflix – 44 (2021)

Most wins for a series in a single year
 * Game of Thrones – 12 (2015–2016, 2019)

Most wins for a Comedy Series in single year
 * The Bear - 10 (2024)

Most wins for a Television Program
 * Saturday Night Live – 92

Most wins for a Comedy Series
 * Frasier – 37

Most wins for a Drama Series
 * Game of Thrones – 59

Most wins for a Limited Series
 * John Adams – 13

Most wins for a single episode
 * "Boardwalk Empire" (Boardwalk Empire) – 6 (2011)
 * "Battle of the Bastards" (Game of Thrones) – 6 (2016)

Most wins for a Television Movie
 * Behind the Candelabra and Eleanor and Franklin – 11

Most wins for an Animated Program
 * The Simpsons – 35

Most wins for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special
 * The Kennedy Center Honors – 16

Most wins for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
 * Saturday Night Live – 92

Most wins for a Reality-Competition Program
 * RuPaul's Drag Race – 24

Most wins for acting in a Comedy Series
 * The Mary Tyler Moore Show – 16

Most wins for acting in a Drama Series
 * Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and The West Wing – 9

Most wins for acting in a Limited Series
 * Angels in America – 4

Most wins for acting in a Television Movie
 * The Glass Menagerie – 4

Most wins for an online-streaming original program
 * The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – 20

Most wins for an Animated Program in a single year
 * The Simpsons – 6 (1992)
 * Love, Death & Robots – 6 (2021)

Most wins for a performer for the same role in the same series
 * Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer for Veep – 6 (2012–2017)

Most wins for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program
 * RuPaul Charles for RuPaul's Drag Race – 8 (2016–2023)

Most wins for Outstanding Drama Series
 * Hill Street Blues – 4 (1981–1984)
 * L.A. Law – 4 (1987, 1989–1991)
 * The West Wing – 4 (2000–2003)
 * Mad Men – 4 (2008–2011)
 * Game of Thrones – 4 (2015–2016, 2018–2019)

Most wins for Outstanding Comedy Series
 * Frasier – 5 (1994–1998)
 * Modern Family – 5 (2010–2014)

Most wins for Outstanding Animated Program
 * The Simpsons – 12 (1990–1991, 1995, 1997–1998, 2000–2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2023)

Most wins for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
 * Harvey Korman – 4 (1969, 1971–1972, 1974)

Most wins for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special
 * The Kennedy Center Honors – 7 (1994, 1996, 2009–2013)

Most wins for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
 * The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – 11 (2003–2012, 2015)

Most wins for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
 * RuPaul's Drag Race – 24

Most wins for a series for its final season
 * Game of Thrones – 12 (2019)

Most wins for a series for its first season
 * The Bear - 10 (2024)

Most wins for a Comedy Series for its final season
 * Schitt's Creek – 9 (2020)

Most wins for a Comedy Series for its first season
 * The Bear - 10 (2024)

Most wins for a Drama Series for its final season
 * Game of Thrones – 12 (2019)

Most wins for a Drama Series for its first season
 * The West Wing – 9 (2000)

Most wins for an individual in a single year
 * Moira Demos – 4 (2016)
 * Amy Sherman-Palladino – 4 (2018)
 * Dan Levy – 4 (2020)

Most wins for a writer/producer
 * Jon Stewart – 22

Most wins for an individual
 * Sheila Nevins – 31

Most wins for a person of color
 * RuPaul Charles – 11

Most wins for a performer
 * Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus – 8

Most wins for a network
 * NBC – >1,000

Overall nominations for a performer, program, etc.
Most nominations for a network in a single year
 * Netflix – 160 (2020)

Most nominations for a Television Program
 * Saturday Night Live – 306

Most nominations for a Comedy Series
 * Cheers – 117

Most nominations for a Drama Series
 * Game of Thrones – 161

Most nominations for a Limited Series
 * Roots – 37

Most nominations for a Television Movie
 * Grey Gardens – 17
 * Eleanor and Franklin – 17
 * Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee – 17
 * Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years – 17

Most nominations for an Animated Program
 * The Simpsons – 97

Most nominations for a Reality-Competition Program
 * Dancing with the Stars – 113

Most nominations for a Variety Series
 * Saturday Night Live – 306

Most nominations for a Variety Special
 * The Kennedy Center Honors – 59

Most nominations for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program
 * Tom Bergeron – 9
 * Heidi Klum – 9

Most nominations for a Comedy Series for its final season
 * Schitt's Creek – 15 (2020)

Most nominations for a Comedy Series for its first season
 * Ted Lasso – 20 (2021)

Most nominations for a Drama Series for its final season
 * Game of Thrones – 32 (2019)

Most nominations for a Drama Series for its first season
 * NYPD Blue – 27 (1994)

Most nominations for an individual in a single year
 * Louis C.K. – 9 (2013)

Most nominations for an individual
 * Lorne Michaels – 94

Most nominations for an individual (actress)
 * Cloris Leachman – 22

Most nominations for an individual without a win
 * Angela Lansbury – 18

Most nominations for Outstanding Drama Series
 * Law & Order – 11

Most nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series
 * Cheers – 11
 * M*A*S*H – 11

Most nominations for Outstanding Animated Program
 * The Simpsons – 30

Most nominations for an online-streaming original program
 * The Handmaid's Tale – 75

Most nominations for Outstanding Competition Program
 * The Amazing Race – 17

Most nominations for Outstanding Variety Series
 * Saturday Night Live – 19

Most nominations for Outstanding Variety Special
 * The Kennedy Center Honors – 11

Most nominations for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
 * Billy Crystal – 12

Most nominations for a Variety Series in a single year
 * Saturday Night Live – 22 (2017)

Most nominations for a Reality-Competition Program in a single year
 * American Idol (2011), Dancing with the Stars (2009) , RuPaul's Drag Race (2018, 2020) , and The Voice (2014) – 10

Most nominations for a series without a win in a single year
 * The Handmaid's Tale – 21 (2021)

Most nominations for an Animated Program in a single year
 * The Simpsons – 9 (1990, 2009)

Most nominations for acting in a series in a single year
 * Succession – 14 (2022)

Most nominations for a Comedy Series in a single year
 * 30 Rock – 22 (2009)

Most nominations for a Drama Series in a single year
 * Game of Thrones – 32 (2019)

Most nominations for acting in a Television Movie
 * And the Band Played On, The Glass Menagerie, and The Normal Heart – 6

Most nominations for acting in a Variety Special
 * Hamilton – 7

Most nominations for acting in a Limited Series
 * Roots – 13

Most nominations for a Television Program without a win
 * Better Call Saul – 53