YouTube Shows Can Now Win Emmy Awards

Many new award categories are being created to recognize emerging digital programming.

Big changes are coming to the 2016 Emmy Awards, as short-form online content is now eligible to win big. 

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that a handful of new categories that recognize achievement in online content from platforms like YouTube, Crackle, or Adult Swim have been created to reflect the changing media landscape.

The new categories include outstanding actor and actress in a short form series, outstanding short form series-variety, as well as  outstanding short form series-comedy or drama, and outstanding short form series-reality/nonfiction. 

“Our governors recognize the volume of really exceptional work of our members and the people on other platforms,” explained TV Academy chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum. “Look at the quality of talent working in this space. It’s the responsibility of our organization to recognize that.”

We think this is excellent news, and a great first step towards giving due credit to online content creators. Since the advent of YouTube, and even Netflix , the definition of a “television show” has been called into question, and it’s becoming more and more apparent that a program doesn’t have to be on your TV for it to be quality entertainment. 

Plus, maybe the Academy will give a retroactive Emmy to Too Many Cooks. It’s genius needs to be recognized. 

source