THE NATAS GENERAL RULES
AND PROCEDURES
NATAS EMMY
®
RULES
v.2024.0.0
CALL FOR ENTRIES
45th ANNUAL
NEWS & DOCUMENTARY
EMMY AWARDS
®
v.2024.0.0
THE NATAS GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
45TH NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES
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About the News and Documentary Emmy® Awards
Dates & Deadlines
Entry Fees & Payment
What’s New / Please Take Note
Entering the News & Doc Emmy Awards
Entry Information & Submission Checklist
Emmy Essay
Series Entries
Media Specs
Prohibitions and Disqualications
Who Received the Award?
Judging for the News & Documentary Emmy Awards
Nominations and Ceremonies
Award Categories
Award Category Denitions and Submission Requirements
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Introduction
Eligibility
Entry Procedures
Entrant Responsibility, Prohibitions and Disqualications
Judging
Statuettes, Plaques and Certificates
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
3 v.2024.0.0
INTRODUCTION
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Inc., (NATAS) is a 501(c)(6) non-prot service
organization founded by the “Committee of One Hundred,” led by Ed Sullivan, in 1955. NATAS is
dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative
leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. NATAS
recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award. NATAS membership consists of
more than 18,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the
United States.
The National Awards Committee is the governing body of all NATAS Emmy® Awards (the Children’s
& Family Emmy® Awards, the Daytime Emmy® Awards, the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards,
the Sports Emmy® Awards, the Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards, and the individual
Regional Emmy® Awards). The National Awards Committee is responsible for the formulation of
NATAS policy on all awards matters.
In order to achieve the greatest objectivity, inclusion, and equity in administering awards policies, the
National Awards Committee and competition subcommittees reflect the wide range of programming,
professions, and diverse backgrounds that make up the television industry. All National Awards
Committee decisions are nal and binding.
ABOUT NATAS
NATIONAL AWARDS COMMITTEE
NATAS AWARDS ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL PROGRAMMING
NATAS administers four national programming contests: the Daytime Emmy® Awards, the
Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards, the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards, and the
Sports Emmy® Awards — each having their own dedicated administrative teams. To reach
out to the respective administrative teams regarding questions about rules, eligibility, or
judging for their individual contests:
Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards - childrens@theemmys.tv
Daytime Emmy® Awards - daytime@theemmys.tv
News & Documentary Emmy® Awards - news@theemmys.tv
Sports Emmy® Awards - sports@theemmys.tv
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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INTRODUCTION
NATAS AWARDS ADMINISTRATION CONTINUATION
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
REGIONAL PROGRAMMING
NONNATASADMINISTERED AWARDS
NATAS also administers the Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards through peer
review of scientic achievements. Questions regarding qualications, eligibility, or process
may be directed to techemmys@theemmys.tv
Except for the Los Angeles area, Regional Emmy® Awards are individually administered by
NATAS Regional Chapters, a full list of which is available at: https://theemmys.tv/chapters
NATAS does not administer the International Emmy® Awards, Primetime Emmy® Awards,
nor the Los Angeles Area Emmy® Awards. Those contests are administered by our sister
Academies. To contact these Academies directly:
International - https://www.iemmys.tv/international-academy/contact-us/
Primetime & LA Area - https://www.emmys.com/contact
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
5 v.2024.0.0
INTRODUCTION
This book of Rules & Procedures outlines policies that apply across the breadth of each of the four
NATAS Emmy® competitions for national programming content.
Along with the release of this document, NATAS publishes a “Call for Entries” (CFE) for each individual
contest. Each CFE outlines additional rules, exceptions, and clarications specic to the respective
individual contest. This document and a respective competition’s CFE collectively form the “Rule
Book” of any one individual competition for the entry year.
These rules and procedures are subject to change or correction by NATAS at any time, with or
without prior written notice. The most current and all prior versions of the document are available at
https://theemmys.tv/rules.
NATAS has adopted a semantic versioning method of identifying revisions, with such version numbers
marked in the lower-right corner of each document page, represented in the format [CONTEST
YEAR].[NOTABLE REVISION].[MINOR CORRECTION].
For example, the initial publication for the 2024 awards year is numbered v.2024.0.0. Corrections to
typographical errors, formatting, or other changes of minor impact will increment this to v.2024.0.1.
More notable clarications, additions, deletions, or other substantial changes will instead increment
to v.2024.1.0 and be identied in an appendix listing all such modications.
FORMAT OF THESE RULES
POTENTIAL FOR CORRECTIONS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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ELIGIBILITY
Anyone may enter. NATAS/Television Academy membership is not a condition for entry in any NATAS
Emmy® competition. Producers, designated awards consultants, show contacts, or individual entrant
team members may submit entries on behalf of their program, on-air talent, or craft.
If a show intends to enter multiple categories, NATAS recommends that the show designates a main
contact or “Show Shepherd” to handle submissions and general communication with the contest
administration during the contest period.
Anyone entering on behalf of an individual or entity must fully conrm that the parties
represented in or by the submission have complete knowledge of all eligibility rules
and have viewed and given consent to the content submitted on their behalf, and
are required to provide contact information for the represented rightsholder. Any
misrepresentation of consent or failure to provide accurate rightsholder information is
grounds for disqualication.
Programs distributed within the calendar year of January 1 to December 31, 2023 are eligible for
submission in the 2024 competitions, with the following exceptions:
WHO MAY ENTER?
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS: FOOTBALL PROGRAMMING
CHILDREN’S & FAMILY EMMYS®
High school, college, or professional American football postseason programming that
originally aired in 2023 but concluded within three days following the Super Bowl is eligible
for entry in all categories other than Short Documentary, Long Documentary, and Serialized
Documentary. To be eligible, such football programming must have aired after 12:01
AM on February 16, 2023 and prior to 12:01 AM on February 15, 2024.
The eligibility period will mirror the Primetime Emmy® Awards (June 1, 2023 - May 31,
2024).
IMPORTANT
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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ELIGIBILITY
NATAS contests are open to telecast programming and online/digital programming originally
produced for video platforms and transmitted to the public by a television network, cable company,
satellite, the internet, or other digital delivery media. Eligibility is limited to digital and telecast
programming that was originally made available during the eligibility period and, as determined
by contest administration, intended for a national audience during the specic competition’s
eligibility year.
All shows must contain at least two-thirds (⅔) original material as aired during the eligibility period,
unless the previously-produced material has been given substantial, unique, and creative treatment
that, in the opinion of NATAS, results in an original program. Content must be entered in the format
of its rst method of transmission. Further, individual craft categories may apply additional content
originality requirements as may be specied in the respective competition Call for Entries.
NATAS categories are not distribution-platform-specic. All categories are open to all platforms.
CONTENT ELIGIBILITY
All types of releases via digital delivery platforms – Transactional VOD (TVOD), Subscription VOD
(SVOD), Advertising-Based VOD (AVOD), Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television, and similar
technologies (collectively, “Digital” distribution throughout this document) — are eligible for
submission. In general, the rst distribution of the content on any platform is the governing air date
and program form for determining eligibility.
However, a national television broadcast that airs after a Digital debut may be considered to be the
canonical airing if:
Content, whether online or distributed via telecast or cablecast, that is produced and intended for
a specic local or regional audience, or for a particular geographic market, is eligible for a regional
Emmy® Award and should be submitted to one of the regional Emmy® competitions.
In determining whether content distributed online, without geographic restriction, is more
appropriate for submission to a regional competition or a national one, entrants should consider the
following characteristics of nationally-relevant content as guidelines:
1. The Digital distribution was not previously submitted, and
2. The national television broadcast premiere occurred within one year of its Digital debut.
DIGITAL DELIVERY PLATFORMS
NATIONAL RELEVANCE
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ELIGIBILITY
NATIONAL RELEVANCE CONTINUATION
• Is the content produced and intended for a national or global audience?
• Has the material been entered in other national award competitions?
• Has the program been promoted to/marketed to a national audience or produced in
association with a national media brand, or was the content produced and intended for
a regional or local audience?
• Content may only be submitted to a single competition.
• For national eligibility, the national broadcast or VOD premiere must have occurred:
• A program submitted to a regional competition may not then be submitted to a
national competition or another regional competition.
• Content along with all craft-category submissions associated with that content
must be submitted to the same regional or national competition.
• Splitting entries for the same content between regional and national competitions
is not allowed.
• In general, the rst accepted submission to any Emmy competition shall determine
the regional-vs-national standing of the content
• (a) during the national competition’s eligibility period, and
• (b) within twenty-four (24) months of the rst regional distribution of any kind.
In general, self-published online content in which a majority of these characteristics indicates it
was produced and intended for a national or global audience is presumed to be more appropriate
for submission to a national Emmy® competition. Those that suggest the content was produced
and intended for a local or regional audience are presumed to be more appropriate for a regional
competition.
Regional content that later receives national distribution may be submitted to either a Regional
Awards competition or a relevant National Awards competition, subject to the following restrictions:
Those considering national submission for content originally aired regionally are strongly encouraged
to contact awards administrators during the earliest eligibility period of the two relevant competitions
to evaluate eligibility and avoid the risk of later-occurring determinations which may result in missed
opportunities for consideration at any level.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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ELIGIBILITY
In general, productions that feature nancial and/or creative involvement between both United
States and international entities, distributed globally, must rst premiere in the U.S. to be eligible
for submission to NATAS-administered Emmy® Award competitions. Programs produced by
internationally owned entities but distributed exclusively in the U.S. are also eligible in NATAS
competitions. All other internationally produced and distributed productions must submit to the
International Emmy® Awards.
To accommodate the scheduling of “global premieres,” however, such globally-distributed US-
International productions that debut in the United states within one (1) week of their rst broadcast
or Digital distribution in any global territory are also eligible for NATAS awards consideration.
Productions with such simultaneous global premieres may, pending other category eligibility criteria,
be eligible in either a NATAS-administered competition or the International Emmy® Awards — but
not both. A production may only enter a single Emmy® Award competition.
If a submission that originally premiered outside the U.S. but was later distributed in the U.S. is deemed
ineligible for the International Emmys® competition, at the sole determination of the International
Academy, and the International Academy subsequently determines the material more appropriate
for a U.S. competition, the entrant may petition for consideration in the relevant NATAS competition.
Petitions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under NATAS rules and a review of the extent to
which the content was intended for the U.S. market.
Once a program enters a specic genre category, it is prohibited from switching for the remainder
of its run unless the program petitions contest administration to change categories, and the
petition is thereafter accepted. Once a program enters a specic Emmy® Award contest (inclusive
of the Primetime Emmy® Awards, International Emmy® Awards, and Regional Emmy® Awards
administered by our sister academies and chapters), the program is bound to remain in that contest
unless a petition is led via email and thereafter accepted by contest administration. If a program
switches contests, it may not switch back without further approval from contest administration.
In addition, programs that primarily enter a particular competition, and where the majority of the
content produced by that program is more appropriate for that particular competition, may not cross-
enter in another Emmy competition without approval from contest administration. For example, if
a program that primarily competes in Sports has a feature report they believe is more appropriate
for a News & Documentary category, they must receive preapproval from both sports and news
administration before the nal entry deadline.
INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS
CATEGORY AND/OR CONTEST SHOPPING
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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ELIGIBILITY
THEATRICAL RELEASES
1. The production was rst telecast or made available via Digital distribution nationally
during the eligibility period.
2. The broadcast or Digital premieres occurred within twelve (12) months of the rst
commercial theatrical screening, dened as a commercial screening of seven (7)
consecutive days at a single theater, and
3. The aggregate number of commercial theatrical screenings did not exceed six hundred
(600) theaters.
Television programs that are oered for “general theatrical release” occurring prior to their airing
or Internet exhibition are not eligible. Productions that have had a limited theatrical release before
being telecast or made available via Digital distribution are eligible to enter NATAS Emmy® Award
contests, provided:
A program loses Emmy® eligibility twenty-four (24) months after its rst theatrical screening of any
kind, in any form of completion, whether such screening occurs commercially or at a lm festival.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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ELIGIBILITY
INELIGIBILITY OF OSCAR® NOMINEES
NONENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRIES
The Emmy® Awards recognize excellence in programming created rst and foremost for television
platforms. Our rules reiterate this expectation through policies surrounding limited theatrical releases
and a submission’s eligible broadcast or Digital premiere.
To this end, programs that have received an Oscar® nomination from the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) are ineligible for submission to any Emmy® award contest
administered by NATAS.
Appearance on the AMPAS viewing platform is not cause for disqualication from NATAS
competitions.
Entries in a language other than English are eligible but must include either an English-language
voiceover or English subtitles. This also includes submissions in all craft categories. Entries for the
Spanish-language categories may be submitted without subtitles or voiceover and will be judged by
a panel of Spanish-language media professionals who are bilingual or Spanish language-procient.
Virtual lm festival screenings do not qualify as VOD screenings when determining eligibility
for Emmy® competitions. Such screenings are considered to be theatrical screenings,
rather than Digital distributions, for the purpose of determining Emmy® eligibility in the
2024 competition year.
a. A virtual lm festival screening is not considered a Digital release, and a documentary
lm may not submit to an Emmy® competition solely on the basis of such a virtual lm
festival screening.
b. A virtual lm festival screening is not considered a Digital release, and is not used to
determine whether a national telecast is within the one-year Digital-to-broadcast
window within which it can be considered the “canonical airing.”
c. A virtual lm festival screening is considered a lm festival screening, and counts
toward the twenty-four-month (24-month) window after which a program with any
kind of theatrical release becomes ineligible.
VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL SCREENINGS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
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ELIGIBILITY
INELIGIBLE PROGRAMMING
The following programming is not eligible:
1. Pornographic, violent, defamatory, or oensive material, except in the context of news
coverage or the documentary treatment of a nonction subject.
2. Previously-aired programs, series, or related crafts which aired and met eligibility
requirements during a previous award year or qualied for and submitted to another
Emmy® Award competition, unless it qualies via the Digital-delivery exception listed
above.
3. Program-length commercials (infomercials or closed-circuit programs such as those
from hotels, hospitals, movie theaters, arenas, stadiums, and other venue- specic
locations) with targeted audiences.
4. Content from telethons, pledge breaks, and/or programs with a unique call to action
aired for the specic purposes of raising money for political parties,charities, or other
related causes. (Calls to action responding to current events within an otherwise
regularly-scheduled program are permitted, however.)
5. Compilation reels, “clip shows,” or “best of…” programs that were edited from original
content, except where allowed in an individual Emmy® competition’s Call for Entries.
6. No content produced or created for a regional or national Emmy® Awards show may
be submitted to an Emmy® Awards contest. Related craft material is also ineligible.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
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ENTRY PROCEDURES
All media associated with an entry must be submitted via Orthicon, our competition submission
platform. All NATAS contests require videos to be uploaded in order to be vetted by contest
administration for eligibility and then viewed by judges. Media submitted via email or other means
will not be accepted.
Access the submission site by going to the following page and selecting Log In for the appropriate
competition: https://enter.theemmys.tv/.
In the event that contest administration and the National Awards Committee deem a category
non- viable due to the number of entries, NATAS may eliminate the category, merge the category
with another similar category or split a category into two. If a category is canceled, aected entrants
will receive a full refund. If a category is merged with another category, or split into two categories,
entrants in each aected category shall be given the option to remain in the competition in the new
category framework, or to withdraw from the competition and receive a full refund of associated
entry fees.
NATAS reserves the right to disqualify outright or move any entry to a dierent category or dierent
competition if, in the judgment of NATAS Administration, such action is warranted. Entries will be
rejected if no applicable category is found. Entrants will be notied when a rejection or category
reassignment is made.
ENTRY SYSTEM
CATEGORY VIABILITY
CATEGORY PLACEMENT
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
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ENTRY PROCEDURES
As the phrase is used in these Ocial Rules, “Third-Party Submitters” are entry-submitting individuals
or entities who are not themselves engaged in the production or distribution of visual or audio-visual
competition content, but rather, whose principal business purpose is instead the management,
administration, facilitation, manipulation, or other processing of entry-submissions, typically for
compensation, rendered on behalf of more than one (1) client network, producer, or other entrant.
As “Third-Party Submitters” are dened as having more than one client for whom they submit entries
to this or other entertainment-industry competitions, individual seasonal employees and contractors
working for a single submitting entrant in a single competition are therefore excluded from the
denition of “Third-Party Submitter”. If there is any disagreement as to whether a particular person or
entity is a “Third-Party Submitter” for NATAS purposes or purposes of any competition, the decision
rendered by NATAS thereupon shall be nal, determinative, and binding.
Third-Party Submitters essentially seek to act as “resellers” of access to the NATAS competition
entry-system. Therefore, Third-Party Submitters are subject to additional requirements and
restrictions determined by NATAS to be necessary in the best interests of the orderly administration
of the competition. Additionally, NATAS reserves the right to supplement, alter, or otherwise amend
these additional provisions at any time upon further posting to the NATAS website or other form of
notication:
Secondary Contact / Entrant Representative Required: Regardless of the use of a Third-Party
Submitter, the network, producer, or other entrant entering the competition must be clearly and
accurately identied as the entrant and the rights-holder, and any failure to do so will automatically
and summarily disqualify the corresponding entry. Third-Party Submitters must provide to NATAS,
with any entry, via completion of the “Secondary Contact” eld accompanying the submission of the
entry-materials, the accurate full legal name and direct contact-information for the one (1) individual
serving as the authorized representative (“Entrant Representative”) so designated by the entrant
and rights-holder for purposes of the entry. The Entrant Representative must not be the Third-Party
Submitter, or any of its employees, contractors, or agents. The Entrant Representative must then
timely execute a modied Entry License supplied by NATAS which specically authorizes the Third-
Party Submitter to act on behalf of the entrant, and any Entrant Representative failure to timely do
so will automatically and summarily disqualify the corresponding entry or entries. Please contact the
Emmy competition administration to receive the modied Entry License.
PROFESSIONAL THIRDPARTY SUBMITTERS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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ENTRY PROCEDURES
Suspension or Disqualication: Third-Party Submitters are expected to carry out their work on
behalf of their clients in a professional manner. NATAS bears no responsibility to any entrant or any
other party, for the failures of any Third-Party Submitter acting or purporting to act on an entrant’s
behalf. If a Third-Party Submitter commits a signicant number of errors in the context of a single
competition, or commits a signicant number of errors in the context of multiple competitions over
time, in each case as determined by NATAS contest administration, the accumulation of those errors
may result in a temporary or even permanent suspension of that Third-Party Submitter’s access
to the competition entry-system - pending an internal, non-public, and non-appealable NATAS
administrative review, conducted and exercised in the sole and subjective discretion of NATAS. If a
Third-Party Submitter’s acts or omissions result in the disqualication of any entry, or if a Third-Party
Submitter is suspended from entry-system access altogether, the entrant or entrants so aected may
thereupon contact NATAS to seek an opportunity to resubmit the entry-material so aected, provided
that all competition deadlines are nevertheless timely met regardless. NATAS bears no responsibility
to any entrant or any other party, if any failure of a Third-Party Submitter leads to any failure of any
entry to meet a competition deadline or otherwise be accepted for competition purposes.
Self-submitters are not considered to be Third Party Submitters. However, at the point of submission,
all self-submitters must ensure that all copyrighted content entered must be free and clear
for viewing on the judging platform and for use at the ceremony should the entry advance as a
nominee or winner.
Fees and Penalties: NATAS reserves the right, upon ve (5) calendar days written notice to any
Third- Party Submitter, and, if NATAS so elects, upon ve (5) calendar days written notice to any
entrant bearing any connection to the Third-Party Submitter, to assess further administrative fees as
well as penalties as against the Third-Party Submitter and, in the sole discretion of NATAS, as against
the entrant or entrants for whom the Third-Party Submitter purports to act, for corrections of Third-
Party Submitter entries or other activities which have been mishandled by the Third-Party Submitter.
Failure to timely pay those administrative fees and penalties may result, in the sole election of NATAS,
in disqualication of the entry or entries to which those subject assessments may relate.
PROFESSIONAL THIRDPARTY SUBMITTERS CONTINUATION
SELFSUBMITTERS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
16 v.2024.0.0
Entry information appears exactly as entered by the entrant who has typed it. The text is “picked-up”
automatically by computer software protocols, and is not edited by NATAS before entry. Therefore,
the entrant is solely and exclusively responsible for whatever text and other characters are typed and
entered. There are no exceptions.
For example - odd capitalizations, misspellings, missing credits, typing all text in lowercase, or other
formatting or spelling quirks will appear exactly as submitted in all ocial nomination and recipient
documentation, all press releases, all invitations, all print programs, all ceremony graphics including
those that may be telecast on-air, all statuette engravings, and everywhere else. Specically, any
entries typed in all-CAPS are not accepted - and in such cases, if still within deadline, the entrant will
be asked to resubmit subject to all continuing entry deadlines.
Be advised that there is only a very limited time-window of opportunity to make corrections following
the nomination announcements, if such corrections are available at all in such cases. Once entries
are submitted, and “closed for editing” as determined by NATAS, any further requested corrections
should be e-mailed to NATAS contest administration.
It is understood that NATAS oers no assurances that any such corrections can or will be made in
time relative to competition awards and announcements. Any requests for corrections conveyed by
any method other than e-mail to the above-designated NATAS e-mail address, including without
limitation via social media, will not be accepted under any circumstances.
NATAS contest administration is NOT liable for errors in listings that are the result of incorrect
information submitted on an entry form or otherwise.
“WYSIWYT” WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU TYPED!
Deadlines are rm and essential to the timely adjudication of NATAS competitions. In the case of
an extenuating circumstance necessitating late entry, the entrant must make their request in writing
to contest administration prior to the deadline.
DEADLINES
Each entrant will be required to identify a thirty-second (0:30) portion of the submitted visual or
audio-visual material for potential inclusion in the Emmy® Award ceremony and related Internet
distribution, should the entry result in a nomination. The identied clip must be free and clear of any
and all encumbrances or other restrictions which could limit the ability of NATAS to include the clip in
the program and its distribution, publicity, and promotion, including without limitation its use in NATAS
digital program archives and related digital transmissions in perpetuity.
CEREMONY CLIP CLEARANCE
ENTRY PROCEDURES
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Each entrant must unqualiedly arm via the Entrant Clip License that all rights and clearances have
been obtained and are thereby licensed to NATAS for these purposes, and that the entrant is in fact
authorized to convey such rights. Organizations frequently submitting competition content may
alternatively request to enter into a “master agreement” with NATAS that, when executed, may obviate
the need for administering certain further individual entry licenses. Interested organizations should
contact NATAS contest administration for referral to the NATAS General Counsel for this purpose.
CEREMONY CLIP CLEARANCE CONTINUATION
Any entrant failure to timely convey necessary rights and clearances prior to the date
and time of the commencement of judging, will result in the disqualication of the
corresponding entry, with or without additional written notice by NATAS.
IMPORTANT
Entrants will be required to conrm that submissions have not been entered in any other Emmy®
Awards contests, whether entries are produced in whole or part with by a non-US based production
company, whether entries have had a theatrical release, and that all parties included in an entry
submitted on their behalf have full knowledge of the entry, submission rules, and complete detail
contained in the submission.
ELIGIBILITY AFFIRMATION
ENTRY PROCEDURES
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
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ENTRANT TEAM MEMBERS CREDITS
DO NOT list the entire production cast and crew. List only those who are considered
statue-eligible according to the eligible title-listing.
Entrants of Record are also responsible for ensuring each entrant is aware of and approves their
respective entry submissions.
Individuals who pass away during the production process ARE statue eligible, as long as they are
included on the submitted credit list. Deceased legacy individuals for source materials are not eligible.
Example: William Shakespeare is not eligible for programming credit based on his text.
If an entry is nominated, contest administration will reach out to the Entrant of Record to coordinate
assets necessary for production and ticketing. It is the Entrant of Record’s responsibility to
communicate with their clients even after the entry process is complete. All follow-up, including any
information on ceremonies, is done through the Entrant of Record.
Nominees will submit, via the Entrant of Record, the name of one (1) person per category who will
serve as the acceptor.
ELIGIBILITY OF CREDITED TITLES
POSTNOMINATION PROCEDURES
ACCEPTORS
IMPORTANT
ENTRY PROCEDURES
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
19 v.2024.0.0
After the nomination announcements, changes may be submitted free of charge for a limited time
period determined by each individual competition. After this deadline, a fee of US$250 will be charged
for each name added to the credits.
The period reserved for gratis credit corrections is not intended for wholesale revision of previously
submitted credits. As complete a list of statue eligible credits as possible must be submitted by the
competition deadline.
All changes and corrections are subject to NATAS review and approval in accordance with eligibility
requirements.
Changes will only be reflected in certicates, statuettes, and other materials produced or published
after full payment of relevant fees has been made. NATAS has no obligation to change or correct
materials published prior to fee payment.
Change requests received more than thirty (30) days after the corresponding ceremony will not be
accepted under any circumstances.
LATE CREDIT ADDITIONS
ENTRY PROCEDURES
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
20 v.2024.0.0
ENTRY PROCEDURES
PAYMENT
NO DISCOUNT
REFUNDS
Payments not received by NATAS by the end of the judging period will result in
disqualication, with or without additional written notice by NATAS.
IMPORTANT
Payment by Credit Card or ACH Transfer is strongly preferred. Please contact the NATAS Finance
Department at nance-team@theemmys.tv to set up ACH Transfer.
If you must pay by check, an invoice can be generated for the entry. Please make the check payable
to “The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences” and include a printed hard copy of the
invoice found on the entry dashboard. Payment is due according to invoice terms.
For national contests, there is NO discount granted to members of NATAS or to members of the
Television Academy.
Since entry fees oset administrative costs, no refunds are required to be granted, except in the case
of elimination of a category.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
21 v.2024.0.0
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY, PROHIBITIONS
AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY
CREDIT FALSIFICATION
NO INTERNAL EDITING
The Entrant of Record becomes the point of contact for correspondence regarding
required further materials, ticketing, and statuette orders in the event of a nomination
and/or win. If you are a Show Shepherd, you are the point of contact for correspondence
regarding further materials, ticketing, and statuette orders. It is your responsibility to
forward all follow-up information to your clients.
IMPORTANT
In order to avoid disqualication, it is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that all rules are fully
understood and followed, and that submissions are completed by each deadline date.
The entrant is also responsible for checking the source le audio/video quality before uploading and
again once the submission is ocially uploaded.
Refunds will not be issued for submissions resulting in disqualication.
If an entry is being submitted on behalf of another individual or entity, that party must have full
knowledge of the entry, submission rules, and complete detail contained in the submissions.
Entrants are required to provide contact information for the submission’s relevant rightsholder. Any
misrepresentation of consent or failure to provide accurate rightsholder information is grounds for
disqualication.
Any measures taken to circumvent the rules outlined herein, such as submitting placeholder
documents or videos for required materials with the intention of replacing them with complete
materials at a later date, or submitting false information to bolster competition or statuette credit
eligibility, will result in disqualication of the entry with or without notice.
Intentional falsication of credits will result in disqualication of the entire entry by contest
administration. On-air credit packages created for the sole purpose of statue-eligibility will not be
accepted.
A submitted excerpt must be a continuous, commercial-free segment. Editing out commercials
between otherwise continuous programming segments does not constitute “internal editing.”
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
22 v.2024.0.0
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY, PROHIBITIONS
AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
CREDITS
NATAS only accepts timely competition submissions which are not in conflict with any of its rules
and regulations. Ineligible entries may be disqualied by NATAS at any stage of a competition, with
or without prior written notice to the submitters. NATAS assumes no responsibility for the acts or
omissions of individuals or entities submitting entries.
NATAS assumes no responsibility to arbitrate, mediate, adjudicate, resolve, or otherwise respond to
any disputes or potential disputes between program producers, or between other persons or entities
bearing or claiming to bear a connection to entered material. All individuals and entities electing to
submit material, are solely responsible for their entries. Specically, all individuals and entities electing
to submit material, are well-advised to very carefully review submissions to assure themselves of the
correctness and completeness of all names and credits, as well as the viability and full and proper
documentation of all intellectual property rights and permissions. Failure to do so may render an
entry ineligible.
Only those individuals listed on the nal credit list will be eligible to obtain a statuette or other
NATAS recognition upon determination of a winning entry, and not otherwise. NATAS will only
accord a statuette or other NATAS recognition in the manner as may be identied in advance via
the corresponding competition procedures. Specically, any entrant’s credited job title must exactly
correspond to the as-written and as-aired/as- transmitted/as-telecast credits included in the entry
material, per the following:
1. Existing Credit Package. If an on-air/as-transmitted/as-telecast credit-block or “credit
package” exists, then, as conrmed by NATAS, that on-air credit-block or “credit
package” is and shall remain the document of record regarding the determination of
any credited job title.
2. Non-Existent Credit Package; Production Memo. If, in the determination of NATAS,
no on-air/as-transmitted/as-telecast credit-block, “credit package”, or other reliable
credit list is made available with the entry or NATAS determines the supplied credit list
is insucient, then the entrant must submit the dispositive production memo for the
submission as verication of credit and job title eligibility. If NATAS rejects a production
memo as non-dispositive or no such memo exists, it is the entrant’s sole responsibility
to supply alternative acceptable proof of credits and job titles.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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CREDITS
MISREPRESENTATIONS
3. Discrepancies. In those rare cases where there is a discrepancy between the as-
aired/as-transmitted/as-telecast credits and the credited job title indicated on or
within the entry materials, then it is the entrant’s sole responsibility to contact NATAS
contest administration requesting an adjudication and determination. NATAS has sole
discretion whether to render any determination. NATAS accords no assurance to any
entrant that any credit or job title discrepancy will be timely adjudicated or adjudicated
at all. The entrant, and not NATAS, bears the sole responsibility of any unreconciled
credits and job titles, and any loss of any competition opportunity resulting therefrom.
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY, PROHIBITIONS
AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
Any misrepresentation of entries will be cause for disqualication. Misrepresentations may include,
but are not limited to misrepresenting programming as original work or the intentional falsication of
credits, including intentional falsication of job titles or intentionally listing improper job titles. Should
evidence of misrepresentation materialize at a later date, the entry may be disqualied retroactively.
Such a retroactively-disqualied entry will be so-listed in NATAS records, and the return of any
awarded statuettes or award certicates will be required.
Violations of any other published rules and procedures herein may result in
disqualication. Payment submitted with disqualied entries will not be returned.
IMPORTANT
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
24 v.2024.0.0
DOUBLEDIPPING
IMPORTANT
ENTRY INTO SINGLE COMPETITION
For example, if an entrant enters a documentary in the Sports Emmy® Awards Long
Documentary category, it may not be entered subsequently in the News & Documentary
Emmy® Awards.
All submissions, whether to a craft or a program category, must be submitted to the same
regional or national competition. Splitting entries for the same content between regional
and national competitions is not allowed. Exceptions may be made in rare circumstances —
for example, if a specic, unique craft category is only oered in one of two Emmy® Award
contests, but the program or report meets eligibility requirements in both competitions.
The entrant must contact NATAS Administration for prior approval of any such cross-
contest entry.
The same material, identical start-to-nish, is not permitted to represent an entire
submission in both a series and a feature/segment category.
If an entrant submits to a series or recurring programming category that allows the option
of submitting a single episode to represent the entire series, that submitted episode may
not then be submitted as- is to a feature or segment category. Likewise, an episode-
length feature submitted in an individual segment category may not be submitted as the
representative episode in a program category.
A feature or segment may be submitted to a feature or segment category and remain a
component part of a broader program entry only if the segment represents less than fty
percent (50%) of the submitted episode’s total runtime.
Entry into any singular NATAS contest precludes the entry of the same programming in
any other Emmy® contest administered by the Television Academy, IATAS, or NATAS,
including the Regional Emmy® Awards.
Segments of programs must enter the same competition as the program. Exceptions
may be made only after a written petition requesting the exception has been reviewed
and approved by the administration teams for both competitions.
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY, PROHIBITIONS
AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
25 v.2024.0.0
INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY FOR A SINGLE AWARD
INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY FOR PROGRAM AWARDS
CODE OF CONDUCT
EMERGENCY DISCLAIMER
NATAS reserves the right to modify competition or event rules, procedures, policies, and
calendars in response to any public emergency, natural disaster, civil unrest, act of war, or
labor dispute or strike, or for any other reason. Please read individual competition Calls for
Entries and category descriptions for any temporary rule changes. Additional updates may
be published during the contest year on the NATAS website and social media channels, or
announced by email to registered entrants and “Show Shepherds.”
For program categories that allow submissions of excerpts from dierent episodes to
be entered, such as The Sports Emmy® categories of Outstanding Studio Show Daily,
Outstanding Documentary Series or Outstanding Hosted Edited Series, an individual, in
order to be statue-eligible, must have worked and received credit on a minimum number
of the total episodes of the show broadcast in the eligibility year. The minimum episode
count required varies by competition and category and is specied in each competition’s
Call for Entries.
All participants in NATAS competitions or events are subject to the NATAS Code of
Conduct as posted online here.
An individual may only be recognized with an Emmy® Award for each specic role in a
production once.
An individual that is eligible for an Emmy® Award for a specic role in more than one
category shall be recognized in the category most specic to their craft or role.
For example, within the News & Documentary Emmy® competition, a director who is credited
as such on an Outstanding Breaking News entry also submits the same content to the
Outstanding Direction: News craft category. If both submissions are recognized as Emmy®
winning entries the director will be awarded a statuette in the Directing category only.
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY, PROHIBITIONS
AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
26 v.2024.0.0
JUDGING
WHAT IS PEER JUDGING?
JUDGING RESPONSIBILITIES
JUDGES ARE VOLUNTEERS
NATAS contests are judged category-by-category by a panel of experts in that particular eld
– for example, editors judge editing. Specic qualications for judges per each individual contest
are outlined in each contest’s rules. The success of the Emmy® Awards process depends on the
willingness of qualied professionals to serve as judges.
Judges for all NATAS Emmy®Award contests are volunteers. Judges do not receive any compensation
for participation.
With a few exceptions, noted in each individual contest’s Call for Entries, judging is done entirely
online. Judges must sign up to judge. Contest administration will verify credentials and eligibility
of potential judges and assign approved judges to category panels based on their backgrounds
and expertise. Judging requires watching embedded videos and then scoring all entries in their
designated categories.
NATAS contests do NOT use a “check one” or ranked system of judging. The window for judging is
several weeks. Judges evaluate each entry on its individual merits and judges are permitted to give
the same score to multiple entries. Each category has a minimum percentage per entry that judges
are required to view prior to being permitted to submit a score. After an entry in the category is viewed
by at least the minimum amount, the judge’s ballot will open up and become available for scoring.
Each entry is judged individually on its own merits based on each judge’s individual perception of
excellence.
All judging criteria and procedures, including scoring scale, minimum scores required for nomination,
and tie-breaking procedures, are determined by the National Awards Committee.
In order to maintain fair, consistent peer judging without influence, judges must not disclose how
they voted. If they ignore or abuse this privilege, their ballot will be disqualied and/or their judging
status revoked.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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JUDGING
JUDGING RESPONSIBILITIES
Judges are asked to respond to an optional series of demographic survey questions. If a judge declines
to participate, that fact is kept condential and has no impact on the judge’s potential role as an
Emmy® judge or otherwise, in any manner whatsoever. Demographic information is not associated
with ballot results in any way. Accordingly, survey data is representative of the full population of
registered judges, and not of the subset of judges from whom completed ballots are received. All
information is gathered consistent with NATAS’s Key Principles For Collecting Personal Data.
If a judge chose to participate, that judge may further choose to make their responses available to
NATAS to facilitate equitable representation on specic judging panels, or the judge may elect for
their responses to be kept anonymous and used only for aggregate analysis.
NATAS encourages all networks, platforms, production companies and other content creators,
whose employees make up the majority of the judging pool, to focus on increased diversity in their
companies and on their sets and to encourage participation in the Emmy judging process. To this end,
NATAS will share anonymized survey data with organizations represented by signicant numbers of
judges so that such companies may better understand the current diversity of their submitted judges
and work with NATAS toward increased representation in future cycles.
More broadly, NATAS proactively pursues dialogue and solutions with individual company Diversity
Ocers and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), industry executives, and allied trade associations
and community organizations to further promote diversity within the television industry as a whole.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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JUDGING
1. SCORING SCALE
2. NOMINEE COUNT
3. TRACKING
4. MINIMUM VIABILITY FOR NOMINATION
5. TIEBREAKING
Submissions in NATAS contests are scored on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest
possible score and 1 being the lowest possible score.
In each category, there is a default target of one (1) winner and ve (5) nominees. In any
category where the tabulated scores result in such a clearly-dened winner and collection of
nominees, one (1) winner and ve (5) nominees will be so-certied. The target nominee count
for a category may be reduced or increased, at the direction of the National Awards Committee,
in proportion to the number of entries in the category as it relates to the competition average.
When two or more adjacent crafts, program genres, or production techniques within
a craft or genre lack sucient submissions to be competitive categories on their own,
NATAS may opt to combine into a single category. That category may be tracked or not
tracked. If tracked, the dierent subsets within the category will be designated as such and
nominated according to their proportion of entries within the category. The minority track
is rounded up to the nearest 20%, still subject to minimum viability rules.
In general, submissions must have an average judge-assigned score of 4.0 (“Good – Worthy
of a Nomination”) or greater to qualify for nomination. No submission shall be eligible for
nomination if the average judges’ score is less than 3.0 (“Average – Potentially Worthy of a
Nomination”). Submissions with average scores between 3.0 and 4.0 may be nominated at
the discretion of the National Awards Committee.
Ties for the win will be broken, if possible, by comparing the high scores for each tied entry
(the number of 7’s and 6’s received by each tied entry). In cases where ties cannot be
broken by this method, there may be multiple winning entries in a given category.
Ties for nomination, not aecting the win, will not be broken and all tied entries will instead be
nominated if the resulting number of nominations will remain within the maximum number
of allowable nominations. The maximum number of nominations is seven (7) by default,
but may be reduced or increased, at the direction of the National Awards Committee, in
proportion to the number of entries in the category as it relates to the competition average.
Ties for nomination that would result in a number of nominees in excess of the maximum
nomination number will be broken using the methodology applied to ties for the win.
JUDGING METHODOLOGY
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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JUDGING
7. JUDGING IMPROPRIETY
8. ANONYMITY
9. TRANSPARENCY REPORT
Judging scores and behavioral patterns are monitored via algorithms for potential outliers
that may indicate improper behavior such as coordination, bias, or manipulation. Ballots
identied by the algorithms are investigated by the competition auditor, who then determines
whether to refer the matter to the National Awards Committee for further investigation and/
or adjudication. All matters determined to be instances of judging impropriety requiring
Committee action are subsequently disclosed in the Transparency report.
All determinations by the National Awards Committee regarding target and maximum
nominee counts, nomination viability, natural cutos, and judging impropriety are
conducted entirely on the basis of anonymized scores provided by the auditor. At no time
are Committee members provided names of submissions, judges, or any other identifying
information which could impact their decision. Except where necessary, the aected
category is not even disclosed. Some identifying information may be disclosed to the
Committee and Administrative sta for further investigation and corrective purposes after
the conclusion of the competition and associated ceremony only.
NATAS publicly releases a Transparency Report for each competition outlining statistics
as well as instances in which signicant judgment calls are made by contest administration
and/or the National Awards Committee regarding eligibility, ballot disqualication, or
other matters which may have impacted the outcome of the competition. The report is
anonymized as much as possible to protect privacy while providing insight into the complex,
often dicult, discussions and decisions that form the bedrock of any fair competition.
6. NATURAL CUTOFFS
When a statistically signicant distinction appears in the distribution of tabulated scores
such that, in the consideration of the National Awards Committee, that distinction presents
a more appropriate method for nominee selection, the Committee may, at its option,
employ that method.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
30 v.2024.0.0
JUDGING
JUDGING RECRUITMENT
Competition judges must receive no remuneration, compensation, or other consideration for their eorts
as judges.
Neither any entity nor any individual may oer any compensation of any kind to anyone for signing-up to
be a competition judge – be it via payment, or by way of oering to provide access to parties, other events,
or other benets.
Organizations submitting competition entries may elect, and are indeed encouraged, to recruit people
from inside their respective organizations to serve as judges (“internal recruiting”).
However, any use of “coordinated recruitment” or “recruiting programs” of the nature below-described,
shall be deemed strictly prohibited unless approved in advance by NATAS on a case-by-case basis in the
manner as follows:
(A). Any proposed hosting of an event with invitees from outside the submitting
organization for the express purpose of recruiting judges; or
(B). Any proposed distribution of any materials to more than fty (50) persons outside
the submitting organization with the express purpose of recruiting judges; must in
either case rst be reported to NATAS contest administration in writing and in
advance of the proposed initiative. The proposed initiative must not be taken unless
approved in writing and in advance by NATAS in each case, which NATAS may elect
to render, or not, in its sole discretion.
Additionally, on their judging applications, all proposed judges must fully disclose
as a potential conflict-of-interest any and all relationships that they may have to
any “recruiting program” or “coordinated recruitment”, other than the
aforementioned permitted internal recruiting conducted by the corresponding
entrant organization itself. Any failure by either the entrant or the judge to fully
disclose to NATAS all activities of coordinated recruitment and all recruiting
programs, is grounds for disqualication of the judge’s ballot, and disqualication
of the competition entry or entries corresponding to the coordinated recruitment
or recruiting program and the entrant, each in the sole discretion of NATAS.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
31 v.2024.0.0
“FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION”
RANDOMIZED SECOND ROUND PANEL COMBINATION
PRELIMINARY VERSUS BLUE RIBBON
As the nominees and recipients are decided in the same round of judging via scores, all so-called “For
Your Consideration” campaigns are of limited, if any, usefulness surrounding NATAS competitions
and are discouraged.
Typically, in categories where the number of submissions require two rounds of judging: a) a number of
subpanels are created for the rst round of judging, and each subpanel is judged by a single group of
judges and b) a single second round panel is created from the highest scoring rst round entries. The
second round panel is judged by a single group of judges, and winners and nominees are determined
from the results of that second round panel. In cases where the number of rst round subpanels
are inordinately large (for example categories with a large number of entries with lengthy running
times) it may be necessary to create two second round subpanels in which entries will be distributed
randomly to ensure equal consideration by two groups of second round judges, and nominees and
winners will be determined from the combined results of those panels.
The result in most categories is determined by a single “Blue Ribbon” round of judging that decides
both the nominees and the recipient (or recipients) in the category. There is no additional round of
judging after nominations are announced in which winners are chosen.
Where a category receives a large number of entries, resulting in screening sessions that would
exceed what is deemed a reasonable viewing length for a single judging round, it will undergo a
Preliminary Judging Round. Depending each year upon the number of entries per category, various
categories in various contests will be routed through such a Preliminary Judging Round, whereby the
number of entries are narrowed down prior to commencement of the “Blue Ribbon” round.
Categories with a high proportion of self-published entries, such as those distributed on user-
generated video-sharing platforms, may also be routed to a Preliminary Judging Round at the
discretion of contest administrators.
The results of a Preliminary Judging Round are merely procedural; they are not publicly announced,
and are not considered “nominations,” “prenominations,” or any other formal recognition.
JUDGING
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
32 v.2024.0.0
BALLOT CONFIDENTIALITY
CHALLENGES AND/OR INAPPROPRIATE SITUATIONS
RESULTS CONFIDENTIALITY
POSTNOMINATION PROCEDURES
All judges for NATAS contests are expressly forbidden from disclosing, to anyone, what entries
they judged, their opinion of materials viewed, or the scores they assigned. This prohibition applies,
without limitation, to any communications with colleagues, friends, family members, other judges,
other submitters, the press, on Social Media, or elsewhere. Violations of this policy may result in
disqualication of the ballot and/or judge, and potential disqualication of associated submissions.
The fair adjudication of all NATAS competitions is of foremost importance. Any individual or
organization that has observed potential impropriety or inappropriate behavior by any entrant, judge,
administration sta, or others in the course of the competition, or that has any concerns about a
submission, judging, or other awards procedures or processes, is encouraged to report the matter
immediately to NATAS by sending an email to reports@theemmys.tv.
All substantive reports will be thoroughly and quickly investigated and may be summarized in the
Transparency Report. The identity of the reporting party shall be kept condential.
From the time of the nomination announcement until the winners are announced at the respective
live ceremonies, the identities of award recipients in judged categories are known only by an
independent accounting rm, unless exceptional production accommodations are made for
prerecorded presentations or emergency situations. Any such exceptions must be pre-approved in
writing by the chairs of NATAS and the National Awards Committee and shall be disclosed during the
ceremony itself.
Lifetime Achievement Emmy® Award honorees, scholarship recipients, and juried category awardees
are known to contest administration and announced prior to the ceremony.
If an entry is nominated, contest administration will reach out to the Entrant of Record to coordinate assets
necessary for production and ticketing. It is the Entrant of Record’s responsibility to communicate
with clients even after the entry process is complete. All follow-up, including any information on
ceremonies, is done through the Entrant of Record.
JUDGING
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
33 v.2024.0.0
STATUETTES, PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES
WHO RECEIVES A STATUETTE?
COMMEMORATIVE EMMY® STATUETTES
BAND ENGRAVING
Each winning entry receives one (1) gratis statuette. All individuals with an Emmy® statue-eligible
credit that is vetted by NATAS Administration will be able to order a Recipient statuette. One name
may be engraved per statuette. The name approved in credits is the name that will be engraved
on the statuette.
Commemorative statuettes are available for a network, studio, or production company that was
principally involved with the winning program or achievement, as determined by NATAS. The studio
or production company name may be included on the engraving. The word “commemorative” is
engraved at the rear of the statuette. Commemorative statuettes cannot be ordered for, or issued
to, individuals.
Verication for Commemorative statuettes will be determined by the original submission information,
which is reflected in the Winner’s Press Release. The primary or secondary contact on record for the
entry may also be consulted.
Commemorative Emmy® statuettes cannot be ordered for, or issued to, individuals. If there is one
Recipient in the category, the ceremony statuette should be issued to the Recipient. The Recipient’s
name and title will be engraved on any subsequent Commemorative statuettes ordered.
Standard format for all statuettes is as follows:
COMPETITION NAME
CATEGORY NAME
PROGRAM TITLE
SEGMENT (IF APPLICABLE)
NETWORK
FIRST NAME LAST NAME, POSITION
Statuette eligibility is limited to individuals — networks or other corporate entities are not eligible
for Recipient statuettes. Statuette orders take, on average, three (3) to four (4) weeks to process
once the order is received.
The Entrant of Record will receive an email from awards@theemmys.tv with information
about logging into the online ordering system.
IMPORTANT
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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STATUES, PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES
CEREMONY STATUETTE BAND ENGRAVINGS
SURPRISE STATUETTE ORDERS
REPLACEMENT STATUETTE ORDERS
Following each award ceremony, NATAS will reach out to the designated entry contacts and
individuals who signed for presented statuettes to collect the band engraving information for the
gratis ceremony statuette. The statuette may either be engraved with a Recipient’s name and position,
for no fee, or as a Commemorative engraving (for Network, Studio or Production Company lobby
display) for a $455 fee. If no instructions are provided by the end of the thirty (30) day “late credit
addition” grace period following the award ceremony, then, by default, the rst name that appears
alphabetically in the Winner’s Press Release (whether it be an Executive Producer or an Associate
Producer, etc.) will be selected for the engraving and shipped to the designated entry contact. Any
requested changes after receipt of that engraving will incur a replacement fee of $25 plus sales tax
and shipping & handling charges.
NATAS does not permit “surprise” statuette requests. NATAS must receive authorization from a
recipient for a statuette order if the recipient doesn’t place the order for themselves. This rule does
not apply to the entrant responsible for the submission or a fellow Recipient for the same entry.
All replacement statuette orders are subject to verication and approval by NATAS. Winner’s name
and credited position must appear in ocial NATAS press release to be eligible. The Recipient of an
Emmy must authorize a replacement statuette order if they aren’t covering the replacement cost
themselves. If the original recipient is deceased, the next of kin may order a replacement statuette.
Documentation proving next of kin will be requested as needed.
Damaged statuettes MUST be returned to our manufacture for proper recycling. Tracking information,
conrming the return, must be sent to NATAS for verication with our manufacture. Photos of a
damaged statuette, including a close up of the band engraving, must be sent to NATAS for our
records and proper replication. A copy of an insurance claim or Police report, must accompany a ‘lost’
or ‘stolen’ replacement order. Replacement requests that do not fall under these circumstances will
be handled on a case-by-case basis. NATAS does not permit ‘surprise’ replacement statuette order
requests.
Emmy® Awards are presented to individuals, not their employers, even if an employer
pays entry or statuette fees. Ownership of each Emmy® Award statuette is retained by
the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Inc.
IMPORTANT
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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STATUES, PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES
RULES FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE EMMY® STATUETTE
The Television Academy
5220 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 754-2800
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
450 Park Ave. South, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10016
(212) 586-5424
1. The Emmy® statuette is the property of and all rights are reserved by the Television
Academy and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“Academies”).
2. The Emmy® statuette may not be reproduced or used in any commercial manner
unless otherwise permitted by the Academies, it being understood that possession of
the statuette is solely for the benet of the recipient and the recipient’s heirs or other
successors-in-interest.
3. If a recipient or the recipient’s heir or successor in interest proposes to sell, auction, or
otherwise dispose of an Emmy® statuette, such persons shall be obligated to return
the statuette to the Academy from which received, which will retain the same in storage
in memory of the recipient.
GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES
FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
| NATAS EMMY® RULES
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STATUES, PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES
NOMINATION CERTIFICATES
PRODUCTION CERTIFICATES OR PLAQUES
Nomination certicates are available only to individuals designated as Emmy nominees. Certicates
are available for ordering, along with upgraded product oerings, on the same ordering website
where recipients order statuettes.
Production certicates or plaques are available for all individuals who contributed to Emmy®-
winning projects who are otherwise ineligible for the Emmy® statuette. NATAS will review titles and
verify eligibility with the entry contact for each request received. This is not an Emmy® Award. Only
production personnel are eligible. Subjects, participants or panel members of documentary lms or
news reports are not eligible.
IMPORTANT: Production certicates or plaques are not Emmy® awards and cannot be upgraded
toward statuettes. Production certicates or plaques are available for up to 5 years following an
award ceremony.
PROMOTION
1. Honorees. Emmy honorees or those congratulating them may at any time refer in
advertising and publicity to the fact that the honoree has received an Emmy award and
may for one (1) year after an award is made, use a replica of the statuette in advertising
and publicity subject to the requirements set forth at https://theemmys.tv/trademarks.
2. Nominees. Emmy nominees or those congratulating them may refer in advertising and
publicity to the fact that the nominee has been nominated and, provided that such
nominees are clearly identied as such, may during the period from the announcement
of nominations until the awards presentation use a replica of the statuette in advertising
and publicity subject to the requirements set forth at https://theemmys.tv/trademarks.
3. Whenever the statuette is used it should appear facing left and must be accompanied
by ® at its base (denoting trademark protection). The word “Emmy” is also trademarked
and whenever possible its use should appear as follows: “Emmy®”.
4. After the one (1) year period, recipients may use language promoting their status as an
Emmy® Award recipient in perpetuity, so long as such references do not include use
of the statuette image.
5. For more information and more detailed policies, visit our website:
https://theemmys.tv/trademarks.
45th ANNUAL
NEWS & DOCUMENTARY
EMMY AWARDS
®
CALL FOR ENTRIES
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Award Categories Table of Contents
About the News and Documentary Emmy® Awards
Dates & Deadlines
Entry Fees & Payment
What’s New / Please Take Note
Entering the News & Doc Emmy Awards
Entry Information & Submission Checklist
Emmy Essay
Series Entries
Media Specs
Prohibitions and Disqualications
Who Received the Award?
Judging for the News & Documentary Emmy Awards
Nominations and Ceremonies
Award Categories
Award Category Denitions and Submission Requirements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
3
4
5
6
13
14
15
16
17
20
21
22
24
25
28
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THE NEWS AND DOCUMENTARY
EMMY
®
AWARDS
The News & Documentary Emmy® Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the elds of news
and documentary by conferring annual awards of merit. The awards are intended as an incentive for
the continued pursuit of excellence for those working in the broadcast journalism and documentary
lmmaking professions.
Each year a call for entries is made available to a wide cross section of the national broadcast and
online and streaming news and documentary community. Entries are solicited from national broadcast
news organizations, cable companies, online news and documentary producers, streaming services,
syndicators and independent producers.
Submissions are screened and evaluated throughout the months of May and June. Submission videos,
ballots and judging instructions are delivered to judges who review the submissions and cast their
ballots. Entries are judged online by panelists who are certied as peers. Each judge casts a secret
ballot. Judges’ votes are not shared with other judges or with members of The National Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences. They are tabulated by an independent accounting rm.
The nominees are announced in mid-July and posted on the NATAS website: www.theemmys.tv. This
year’s Emmy® recipients will be announced at separate News & Documentary Emmy® Awards award
ceremonies in September 2024. Awards in the News categories will be presented on September 25th
and awards in the Documentary categories will be presented on September 26th.
For questions regarding the administration of the contest - eligibility, submissions, and judging -
please contact:
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUESTION?
• Christine Chin; Director, News & Documentary Emmy® Awards; 212-484-9452;
cchin@theemmys.tv
• David Winn; Head of News & Documentary Awards; 212-484- 9424;
dwinn@theemmys.tv
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DATES AND DEADLINES
Entries must have been originally broadcast nationally to the general public, or made available via
VOD/Streaming, between January 1 and December 31, 2023
Call for Entries Open at https://enter.theemmys.tv/
Final round of Emmy® judging
Nominations Announced at www.theemmys.tv
Awards in News Categories Presented
Awards in Documentary Categories Presented
Early deadline for submissions (reduced entry fee)
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
MARCH 19, 2024
APRIL 16, 2024
MAY 9 – MAY 23, 2024
JUNE 13 – JUNE 27, 2024
LATE JULY (TBA), 2024
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
Final deadline for submissions
First round of Emmy® judging
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ENTRY FEES AND PAYMENT
ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY MARCH 19, 2024
Categories 1-2, 4-38, 40-42, 64-65 (Programs/Segments & Promos): $400
Categories 3 & 39 (Emerging Journalist & Journalist in Spanish language Media) and
Categories 43- 63 (Craft Achievement and Technical Excellence): $300
ENTRIES SUBMITTED AFTER MARCH 19, 2024 (Final entry deadline is April 16, 2024)
Categories 1-2, 4-38, 40-42, 64-65 (Programs/Segments & Promos): $500
Categories 3 & 39 (Emerging Journalist & Journalist in Spanish language Media) and
Categories 43- 63 (Craft Achievement and Technical Excellence): $400
Entries received by March 19, 2024 receive a reduced entry fee. All submission materials (entrant
information, submission essay, submission video etc.) must be submitted by March 19 to receive the
discounted entry fee.
Payment by Credit Card or ACH Transfer is strongly preferred. Please contact the NATAS Finance
Department at nance-team@theemmys.tv to set up ACH Transfer.
If paying by check, please make the check payable to “NATAS/[Contest Name]” and include a printed
hard copy of the invoice found in the submission site. Payment is due according to invoice terms.
As fees are for administrative costs, no refunds will be granted, except in the case of elimination of a
category.
ENTRY FEES
EARLY DEADLINE
FINAL DEADLINE
EARLY DEADLINE
PAYMENT
REFUNDS
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WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
There are now two separate rulebooks entrants must consult before submitting to the News &
Documentary Emmy Awards and any other national NATAS Emmy contest.
Both the General Rules and News & Doc Call for Entries are contained in this document. Please
consult both rulebooks before completing your submissions.
*TWO (2) SEPARATE RULEBOOKS
*LIVE AND EDITED BREAKING NEWS CATEGORIES CONSOLIDATED INTO A SINGLE
BREAKING NEWS CATEGORY
*OUTSTANDING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY OR ENVIRONMENTAL COVERAGE SPLIT INTO
TWO CATEGORIES
*CRAFT CATEGORY FEES RAISED BY $50
THE GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES
THE NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES
• Which contains rules applicable across all national programming competitions
(Daytime, Sports, News & Documentary)
• Which contains rules and procedures specic to the national News & Documentary
competition
The former Live and Edited Breaking News categories have been combined into a single Outstanding
Breaking News category that is open to both live breaking news coverage and breaking news
coverage that includes edited packages. In addition, submissions are now limited to footage aired
within 48 hours of the breaking news event. The 48-hour rule will also apply to category 40/Breaking
News in Spanish. For more info see page 66.
The former Outstanding Science, Technology or Environmental Coverage category has been split
into two categories: Outstanding Science and Technology Coverage and Outstanding Climate,
Environment and Weather Coverage. For more information, see pages 51 and 52.
Early and nal deadline entry fees for craft categories (Categories 43-62) have been raised by $50. The
fees are now: Early deadline: $300; Final deadline: $400. For more info on entry fees see page 5.
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WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
*OUTSTANDING INTERACTIVE MEDIA CATEGORY DISCONTINUED FOR 2024
*SEPARATE NEWS & DOCUMENTARY VERSIONS OF FORMERLY HYBRID CRAFT AND
PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT CATEGORIES.
*JURIED FINAL ROUND OF JUDGING FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Outstanding Interactive Media category has been discontinued for the award year 2024. This
category is currently under review, with the possibility of being reinstated in an alternative form in a
future year.
Formerly, both news & documentary programming competed together in the following categories:
-Outstanding Music Composition
-Outstanding Sound
-Outstanding Lighting Direction and Scenic Design
-Outstanding Promotional Announcement
In 2024, the Best Documentary category will receive a third, juried round of judging to determine the
winner in the category. Unlike other categories, where the second round of judging determines the
nominees and winners, in Best Documentary the second round will determine the nominees only,
and the winner will be determined by a subsequent juried round.
In addition, Scenic Design (formerly combined with Lighting Direction), and Art Direction (formerly
combined with Graphic Design), have been combined into a single category for Art Direction / Set
Decoration / Scenic Design, with iterations for both news and documentary programming.
For more information see page 72.
In 2024, these categories have been divided into separate News and documentary versions. The new
categories are:
49. Outstanding Music Composition: News
50. Outstanding Sound: News
51. Outstanding Lighting Direction: News
52. Outstanding Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenic Design: News
59. Outstanding Music Composition: Documentary
60. Outstanding Sound: Documentary
61. Outstanding Lighting Direction: Documentary
62. Outstanding Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenic Design: Documentary
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WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
*NATIONAL-REGIONAL DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY TO BE CREATED
*TIME CODE FOR 30-SECOND CEREMONY VIDEO CLIP NOW REQUIRED AS PART OF
ENTRY PROCESS
*50% STANDARD ADOPTED FOR PROGRAMS FEATURING REENACTMENTS AND
RECREATIONS.
Fact based reenactments and recreations are now limited to no more than 50% of an otherwise eligible
documentary or nonfiction program. For more information, see page 20.
*NEW STATUE ELIGIBLE TITLES FOR DIRECTION CATEGORIES
The following job titles are now statue-eligible in the news and documentary Direction categories:
-Direction: News–Associate Director and Stage Manager (in addition to Directors)
-Direction: Documentary–Associate Director (in addition to Directors)
A new national-regional documentary category, similar to the current national-regional Breaking/
Spot News and Investigative Reporting categories, will be created and presented at the national
Documentary ceremony in September. This category will be open to documentaries that have been
awarded regional Emmys in the most recent awards cycle. Winners are awarded Crystal Pillars rather
than Emmy statuettes. These categories will now be administered apart from the national news &
documentary competition.
As part of the submission process, all entrants will be required to identify a thirty-second (0:30)
portion of the submitted entry video for potential inclusion in the News & Documentary Emmy Award
ceremony, should the entry result in a nomination. The identied clip must be free and clear of any
and all encumbrances which could limit the ability of NATAS to include the clip in the program and
its distribution, publicity, and promotion, including without limitation digital program archives, in
perpetuity. Entrants must arm that all necessary rights and clearances have been obtained and are
thereby licensed to NATAS for these purposes, and that the entrant is authorized to convey such right.
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WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
*FILMS WITH A LIMITED THEATRICAL RELEASE (SEE PAGE 10 OF THE NATAS GENERAL
RULES & PROCEDURES)
*INELIGIBILITY OF OSCAR® NOMINEES (SEE PAGE 11 OF THE NATAS GENERAL RULES &
PROCEDURES)
THEATRICAL RELEASES
INELIGIBILITY OF OSCAR® NOMINEES
Television programs that are oered for “general theatrical release” occurring prior to their airing or
Internet exhibition are not eligible. Productions that have had a limited theatrical release before being
telecast or made available via Digital distribution are eligible to enter NATAS Emmy® Award contests,
provided:
A program loses Emmy® eligibility twenty-four (24) months after its rst theatrical screening of any
kind, in any form of completion, whether such screening occurs commercially or at a lm festival.
The Emmy® Awards recognize excellence in programming created rst and foremost for television
platforms. Our rules reiterate this expectation through policies surrounding limited theatrical releases
and a submission’s eligible broadcast or Digital premiere.
To this end, programs that have received an Oscar® nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) are ineligible for submission to any Emmy® award contest administered by
NATAS.
Appearance on the AMPAS viewing platform is not cause for disqualication from NATAS
competitions.
1. The production was rst telecast or made available via Digital distribution nationally
during the eligibility period.
2. The broadcast or Digital premieres occurred within twelve (12) months of the rst
commercial theatrical screening, dened as a commercial screening of seven (7)
consecutive days at a single theater, and
3. The aggregate number of commercial theatrical screenings did not exceed six hundred
(600) theaters.
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WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
* LANGUAGE CLARIFYING VOD ELIGIBILITY (SEE PAGE 7 OF THE NATAS GENERAL RULES
& PROCEDURES)
* INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS MUST PREMIERE IN THE US TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR
NATAS COMPETITIONS (SEE PAGE 9 OF THE NATAS GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES)
All types of releases via digital delivery platforms – Transactional VOD (TVOD), Subscription VOD
(SVOD), Advertising-Based VOD (AVOD), Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television, and similar
technologies (collectively, “Digital” distribution throughout this document) — are eligible for submission.
In general, the rst distribution of the content on any platform is the governing air date and program
form for determining eligibility.
However, a national television broadcast that airs after a Digital debut may be considered to be the
canonical airing if:
1. The Digital distribution was not previously submitted, and
2. The national television broadcast premiere occurred within one year of its Digital debut.
INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS
In general, productions that feature nancial and/or creative involvement between both United States
and international entities, distributed globally, must rst premiere in the U.S. to be eligible for submission
to NATAS-administered Emmy® Award competitions. Programs produced by internationally owned
entities but distributed exclusively in the U.S. are also eligible in NATAS competitions. All other
internationally produced and distributed productions must submit to the International Emmy® Awards.
To accommodate the scheduling of “global premieres,” however, such globally-distributed US-
International productions that debut in the United states within one (1) week of their rst broadcast or
Digital distribution in any global territory are also eligible for NATAS awards consideration.
Productions with such simultaneous global premieres may, pending other category eligibility criteria,
be eligible in either a NATAS-administered competition or the International Emmy® Awards — but not
both. A production may only enter a single Emmy® Award competition.
If a submission that originally premiered outside the U.S. but was later distributed in the U.S. is deemed
ineligible for the International Emmys® competition, at the sole determination of the International
Academy, and the International Academy subsequently determines the material more appropriate
for a U.S. competition, the entrant may petition for consideration in the relevant NATAS competition.
Petitions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under NATAS rules and a review of the extent to
which the content was intended for the U.S. market.
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WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
*STATUE-ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN CRAFT POSITIONS LIKE EDITORS, CAMERA
PERSONS/CINEMATOGRAPHERS, DIRECTORS AND WRITERS
Certain craft positions, such as editors, camerapersons/cinematographers, directors and writers are
considered statue eligible in Program/Segment categories (categories 4-38 and 40-42). However,
an editor/ cameraperson/director/writer or can only win a single statue for the same work. In the case
of an editor or cameraperson winning for a story or report in a Craft Achievement category that also
wins an Emmy in a Program/Segment category like Feature Story or Current Aairs Documentary, the
editor or cameraperson will be awarded a statue in the Outstanding Editing or Video Journalism or
Cinematography category only. The same rule applies to directors in the Outstanding Direction: News
and Outstanding Direction: Documentary categories and writers in the Outstanding Writing: News and
Outstanding Writing: Documentary categories.
*DOUBLE DIPPING/ CROSS ENTRIES
ENTRY INTO SINGLE COMPETITION
Entry into any singular NATAS contest precludes the entry of the same programming in any
other Emmy® contest administered by the Television Academy, IATAS, or NATAS, including the
Regional Emmy® Awards.
For example, if an entrant enters a documentary in the Sports Emmy® Awards Long Documentary
category, it may not be entered subsequently in the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards.
All submissions, whether to a craft or a program category, must be submitted to the same regional
or national competition. Splitting entries for the same content between regional and national
competitions is not allowed. Exceptions may be made in rare circumstances — for example, if
a specic, unique craft category is only oered in one of two Emmy® Award contests, but the
program or report meets eligibility requirements in both competitions. The entrant must contact
NATAS Administration for prior approval of any such cross- contest entry.
See page 24 of the NATAS General Rules & Procedures for more info.
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*LATE CREDIT ADDITIONS
WHAT’S NEW / PLEASE TAKE NOTE
After the nomination announcements, changes may be submitted free of charge for a limited time
period determined by each individual competition. After this deadline, a fee of US $250 will be
charged for each name added to the credits.
The period reserved for gratis credit corrections is not intended for wholesale revision of previously
submitted credits. As complete a list of statue eligible credits as possible must be submitted by the
competition deadline.
All changes and corrections are subject to NATAS review and approval in accordance with eligibility
requirements.
Changes will only be reflected in certicates, statuettes, and other materials produced or published
after full payment of relevant fees has been made. NATAS has no obligation to change or correct
materials published prior to fee payment.
Change requests received more than thirty (30) days after the corresponding ceremony will not
be accepted under any circumstances.
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ENTERING THE NEWS & DOC EMMY® AWARDS
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
SUBMISSION WEBSITE
BROADCAST JOURNALISM / DOCUMENTARY FILM
CALL FOR ENTRIES
HOW OFTEN CAN I ENTER?
Over-the-Air, Cable, Satellite and VOD/Streaming Submissions.
Entries must have been originally broadcast nationally to the general public, or made available via
VOD/Streaming, between January 1 and December 31, 2023
enter.theemmys.tv
The News & Documentary Emmy® Awards are open to works of broadcast journalism, documentary
lms, and their related craft achievements.
The Call for Entries opens on February 20, 2024. The News & Documentary Online entry system
is available at https://enter.theemmys.tv/ Entrants may sign in, create an Emmy prole and initiate
submissions. During the entry period, entrants may log in anytime to view the status of their entries,
add, correct, update or nalize entry data and pay for entries. To encourage prompt completion
of entries there is an early entry deadline of March 19, 2024 at a reduced entry fee. All submission
materials must be submitted by 11:59PM ET March 19 to qualify for the discounted entry fee.
There is no limit to the number of entries an organization or individual may submit for Emmy®
consideration. However, each entry is a separate submission and requires its own entry information,
entry fee, and entry materials.
ENTRY DEADLINES FOR ALL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES
• Early Deadline (reduced entry fee): 11:59 PM ET Tuesday, March 19, 2024
• Final Deadline: 11:59 PM ET Tuesday, April 16, 2024
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CAN I ENTER IN MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY?
A given news report (or in some cases series of reports) or documentary lm may be submitted as
follows
Exceptions: Promotional Announcements (64-65)
• Once in any of the program/segment categories (4-38 and 40-42)
• In as many craft categories as are appropriate (43 - 62)
• Documentary lms submitted to categories 26-36 may also submit to category 37/
Best Documentary.
• Promotional Announcements may be submitted once in category 64 or 65 and may
not be submitted in any other categories.
BE SURE TO
Read the relevant sections of the NATAS General Rules & Procedures and Call for Entries. Note that
there are now two documents you must consult:
Both the General Rules and News & Doc Call for Entries are contained in this document. Please
consult both rulebooks before completing your submissions.
Provide the requested entry information like Show and Program or Segment title, air date,
broadcast network, running time at https://enter.theemmys.tv/
RULES
ENTRY INFORMATION
SUBMISSION VIDEO
• The NATAS General Rules and Procedures, which contains rules applicable across all
national programming competitions (Daytime, Sports, News & Documentary)
• The News & Documentary Emmy Awards Call for Entries, which contains rules and
procedures specic to the national News & Documentary competition.
Submission Video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission site:
https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications on page 17 of the
rulebook when preparing your submission video.
ENTRY INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
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Provide the names and contact info for all statue eligible entrants for each submission during the
online submission process.
Upload a complete list of production credits for each submission during the online submission
process.
Provide a copy of the script (43/Writing: News and 53/ Writing: Documentary entries only)
Essay: Provide an essay of up to 750 words explaining why your entry is Emmy®- worthy and
addressing the following points
Pay by credit card (Visa, Master Card or American Express) or ACH Transfer is preferred. Please
contact the NATAS Finance Department at nance-team@theemmys.tv to set up ACH Transfer
Thank you for your submissions!
• A clear explanation of the editorial and production goals of the piece.
• Reportorial and creative techniques used to achieve these goals.
• Importance of the subject matter.
• Impact of the program, story or report.
CREDITS & EMMY ESSAY
PAYMENTS
ENTRY INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
In categories 1/Outstanding Live News Program, 2/ Outstanding Recorded News Program and
38/Outstanding News Program in Spanish, address the overall excellence of the newscast or
newsmagazine and describe why it is Emmy®- worthy.
In categories 3/ Outstanding Emerging Journalist and 39/Outstanding Journalist in Spanish
Language Media describe the Emmy-worthiness of the examples of the entrant’s work from 2023
that is included in the submission, and address as many of the points above as are appropriate.
Essays in the craft categories (43-62) should explain how the craft under consideration (writing,
editing, cinematography etc.) supports the overall editorial and production goals of the piece.
43/Writing: News and 53/Writing: Documentary entries must also include one copy of the entire
script of the program or story submitted, in addition to the essay.
Essays in category 63/ Outstanding Technical Excellence: News should describe the work of the
technical team and explain why it is Emmy worthy.
Please include the following in the heading of your essay: show and program title (i.e. CBS Evening
News: Capitol Riot), network, and original airdate.
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SERIES ENTRIES
Other types of series (for example curated series like POV or Independent Lens, or ongoing series
like FRONTLINE or NOVA that air multiple lms by dierent directors on distinct topics) may not
enter as a series and must submit individual lms or episodes as separate submissions (though a
multi-part lm on a single subject broadcast under their banner would be eligible). Series entries are
evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Contact the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards administrator for more information on series
entries.
a. Choose one or more episodes to represent the entire series, provided the total
entry video runs no more than 3 hours/180 minutes in length or
b. Choose up to seven excerpts from a variety of episodes to represent the
series, provided the total entry video runs no more than 3 hours/180 minutes
in length.
SERIES ENTRIES
The News & Documentary Emmy® competition does not have award categories reserved exclusively
for series (i.e. limited series, curated series, episodic series etc.). However, we do accept series entries
in certain cases, for example a limited documentary series on a single subject broadcast or delivered
in multiple parts. In the case of a multi-part single subject documentary, entrants may:
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MEDIA SPECS
How does my submission video need to be congured?
Files meeting the specication below can be output from most non-linear editing systems. Another
option is to utilize special transcoding software.
Container: mp4
(Please enable “Fast Start” if that option is available to you)
Audio Codec: AAC-LC or AAC
Channels: Stereo or Dual Channel Mono (Please mixdown 5.1 to 2 channel stereo) Sample Rate: 48 khz
Video Codec: H.264 Baseline Prole
Variable bit rate (with an optimum as indicated below)
Color Space: 4.2.0
Frame rates should match the source material
Resolutions:
The Player displays all content in a 16:9 area. 1080p or 1080i
Optimum Overall Bit Rates:
HD: Video - 8,000 kbps
Audio -128 kbps
Please note that the le you upload is the same le that will stream to judges and will be the same
quality as seen by the judges.
VIDEO UPLOAD SPECIFICATIONS
SUBMISSION VIDEO PREPARATION
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MEDIA SPECS
Each category has its own maximum allowable running time for submissions. Maximum Running
Times are as follows:
*Note: In certain documentary categories (categories 26-35, 37, 55 and 57), the maximum running
time may be waived in certain exceptional cases, for example a documentary that runs longer than
three hours, where editing to meet the specied running time of 180 minutes would distort the
narrative flow of the lm. Submission of documentary entries with running times longer than the
posted maximum must be approved by NATAS. Please contact David Winn (dwinn@emmyonline.tv/
212-484- 9424) or Christine Chin (cchin@emmyonline.tv/ 212-484- 9452) for more info and approval.
*In some categories, broadcasts that exceed the maximum allowable running time in a category
may be edited to conform to the maximum running time. In other categories, up to 7 excerpts of
continuous programming are allowed. Internal editing—i.e. re-editing the content of continuous
programming in order to enhance the submission—is not allowed. In order to edit a broadcast to
conform to the maximum allowable running time in categories where editing is allowed:
MAXIMUM RUNNING TIMES
EDITING A SUBMISSION TO CONFORM TO MAXIMUM RUNNING TIME
• 12 Minutes: categories 7, 9, 17
• 25 minutes: categories 43-62
• 40 minutes: category 36
• 60 minutes: categories 1-6, 8, 10-16, 18-25, 38-42
• 180 minutes: categories 26-35, 37, 55, 57
• Edit out commercials
• Consider what’s left to be continuous programming
• Cut it down to the allowable time for the category
See the specic category denitions and requirements for more information.
*There is no segment/excerpt limit in craft categories 43-62, along with category 3/ Outstanding
Emerging Journalist and category 39/Outstanding Journalist in Spanish Language Media
*In some categories dened by length, a single unedited report or documentary lm of a specied
length (12 minutes or less in the short feature categories, over 12 minutes in the long feature categories,
40 minutes or less in the Short Documentary category) from a single broadcast is required to be
submitted. See the specic category denitions and requirements for more information.
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MEDIA SPECS
*Some categories dened by length a) require that reports be under or over a certain length (12
minutes or less in short form categories, over 12 minutes in long form categories) and b) allow multiple
reports within those parameters up to the allowable maximum total running time for submission
video (up to 60 minutes depending on the category). News categories in which this is the case are
listed below. See the specic category denitions and requirements for more information.
• 5. Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Short Form
• 6. Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Long Form
• 11. Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Short Form
• 12. Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Long Form
Submitters may use a title graphic (slate) to identify a submission or program segment, if needed.
SLATES & TITLE GRAPHICS
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Internal editing—i.e. re-editing the content of continuous programming in order to enhance the
submission—is not allowed.
A compilation or body of work from a variety of programs and/or series that are not related is not
permitted. Exceptions: Category 3/Outstanding Emerging Journalist and category 39/ Outstanding
Journalist in Spanish Language Media, which showcase the breadth of work of an outstanding
journalist over the course of the eligibility year. See the category requirements and denition for
more information.
Recreations or reenactments that employ performers or animation, and/or that use studio or other
environments in the production of such recreations, are permitted provided that the recreations
are fact-based and used for illustration purposes and constitute no more than 50% of the program.
Examples include but are not limited to: recreations of historical events in the Historical Documentary
category, animated representations of the physical world in the Science and Technology Documentary
Category. NATAS will evaluate each circumstance on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.
Programs intended primarily for educational or instructional use are not eligible and will be
disqualied.
Violations of any other published rules and procedures herein (including those outlined in the
NATAS General Rules and Procedures for national Emmy competitions, may result in disqualication.
Payment submitted with disqualied entries will not be returned.
NO INTERNAL EDITING
BODY-OF-WORK ENTRIES
RECREATIONS / REENACTMENTS
EDUCATIONAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING
OTHER VIOLATIONS
PROHIBITIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
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WHO RECEIVES THE AWARD?
Statue eligible job titles are listed in the Award Category and Submission Requirements section
(pages 28) of the rulebook under each category group heading. Consult this section of the rulebook
for statue-eligible job titles for individual categories.
In Program/Segment categories (1-2, 4-38 and 40-42), statue-eligible titles include Executive
Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field Producers, Coordinating Producers,
Associate Producers, and some other Producer titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants
are not eligible), Directors, Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Writers,
Managing Editors, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
In Outstanding Journalist categories (3 & 39), reporters, anchors, hosts and co-hosts, and other
journalistic roles on a case-by-case basis.
In the Craft categories (categories 43-62), those who perform a specic discipline (writer, researcher,
graphics artist, cameraperson etc.) are statue-eligible. Supervising or directing or approving the work
of others—while vital to the creative process– does not qualify for these categories.
In the Technical Excellence category (category 63), statue-eligible titles include Technical
Supervisors, Technical Managers, Technical Directors, Video Engineers, Field Engineers, Field IT
Engineers, Senior Video Controls, Electronic Camera Persons, ENG Camera Operators and Video
Controls, Video le Playback Operators/Editors, Graphics Operators, Senior Audio Engineers,
Audio Engineers, Audio Mixers, Audio Support, Senior Maintenance Engineers, Broadcast Media
Manager/Network Engineers, Stage Manager. Producers, Developers, Software Engineers, Analysts,
and other potentially mission-critical and/or derivative technical positions that make a signicant
contribution to the submission may be considered upon a review of the work and a petition detailing
their contributions.
In the Outstanding Promotional Announcement categories (categories 64-65), statue-eligible titles
include Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Coordinating Producers, Supervising Producers,
Producers, Directors, Art Directors, Editors, Camera Persons, Writers, Music Directors, Composers
of original music for a promo, Audio Engineers, Graphic Designers, Production Designers, Creative
Directors and some derivative job titles, provided their role was more than supervisory and they made
a substantial creative contribution to the content of the promotional announcement or campaign.
Titles such as VP Brand Marketing etc. may be eligible on a case-by-case basis. All titles are subject
to review.
WHO RECEIVES THE AWARD?
Only those listed on the nal credit list will be eligible to obtain a statue. An entrant’s job title must
correspond to the as-aired credits for the submission. In cases where there is a discrepancy between
the telecast credits and the job title available on the entry form you must contact the Head of News
& Documentary Awards or Director of the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards for approval.
VERIFICATION OF STATUE-ELIGIBLE JOB TITLES
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JUDGING FOR THE NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS
Individuals with signicant experience in the elds of broadcast and online journalism and
documentary lmmaking at the national level are invited to serve as judges for the 45th Annual News
& Documentary Emmy® Awards.
Journalists and documentary makers from the worlds of broadcasting and digital/new media are
welcome to apply.
VOLUNTEER TO SERVE AS AN EMMY® JUDGE
2024 NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® JUDGING DATES
WHO QUALIFIES TO BE A JUDGE?
• Producers, Senior & Executive Producers, experienced Associate Producers, Directors,
Reporters and Correspondents and related positions with signicant experience in
national news and/or documentary reporting or production.
• Craftspeople: writers, researchers, cinematographers and camerapersons, editors,
graphic designers, audio technicians, technical directors, composers, lighting directors,
scenic designers and other craftspeople.
Round 1: May 9-23
Round 2: June 13-27
News & Documentary Emmy® judging takes place online. Approved Emmy® judges are directed to
a secure website where submissions are viewed and votes are cast. Judges have two weeks to review
submissions and cast their ballots.
News & Documentary Emmy® judging takes place online. Approved Emmy® judges are directed
to a secure website where submissions are screened and votes are cast. Judges have two weeks to
review submissions and cast their ballots. Go here to sign up for our 2024 call for judges mailing list:
http://theemmys.tv/news/judges-info
Or contact:
David Winn; Head of News & Documentary; 212-484-9424 / dwinn@theemmys.tv
Christine Chin; Director, News & Documentary Emmy® Awards; 212-484-9452 / cchin@theemmys.tv
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JUDGING FOR THE NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS
Entries are viewed and evaluated online.
Most categories in the News & Documentary Emmy competition are judged in two rounds of voting in
which the nominees and a single honoree, multiple honorees, or no honoree is determined. Separate
judging panels are formed for the preliminary and the nal rounds of judging. In the preliminary
round, large categories are divided into sub-panels and the entries are divided equally and randomly
among the sub-groups. For this phase, judges are asked to view at least 50% of each entry and cast a
vote via secret ballot. High scoring entries from the rst round advance to the nal round. Judges in
the nal round are asked to view each entry in its entirety. In 2024, the Best Documentary category
will receive a third, juried round of judging.
Judging is based on content, creativity and execution. Submissions are judged on the basis of their
individual merits and not competitively. In all categories there is the possibility of one award, more
than one award, or no award.
Judges in categories 64 and 65, for promotional announcements, evaluate submissions using the
criteria of Concept, Eectiveness/Impact, and Execution.
Judges in non-craft categories include Executive Producers, Producers, Associate Producers,
Directors, Reporters and Correspondents and some derivative job titles. Judges in craft categories
such as Writing, Editing, Cinematography etc.—will have expertise in the craft areas they are judging.
The results of the nal round of screening determine the number of nominees in each category, and
whether a category has one clear honoree, multiple honorees, or no honoree, with the exception of
Best Documentary, where the second round of judging determines the nominees, and a subsequent
juried round determines the winner. All judging criteria and procedures, including scoring scale,
minimum scores required for nomination, and tie- breaking procedures, are determined by the
National Awards Committee.
Judges may be independently employed or employees of the networks or cable companies or other
submitting organizations who do not have a direct conflict with the material they view. Judges may
not have a conflict of interest, which is described as having a direct involvement with the production
of the entry or having a close personal relationship with a member of the production sta of the
45th Annual News & Documentary Emmy® Awards. Employment by a network with an entry in
the category being judged does not necessarily create a conflict of interest by itself. Judges may
participate on more than one panel.
JUDGING PROCEDURES
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NOMINATIONS AND CEREMONIES
Nominations are currently scheduled to be announced in late July, 2024 (exact date TBA). The initial
listing will include nominated programs only. After additional internal review, a list of nominations
with full list of nominated individuals will be posted on the NATAS website.
As part of the submission process, all entrants will be required to identify a thirty-second (0:30)
portion of the submitted entry video for potential inclusion in the News & Documentary Emmy Award
ceremony, should the entry result in a nomination.
Nominees will be contacted in July 2024 with instructions about any additional materials required for
this year’s News & Documentary Emmy ceremonies, which will take place on September 25th (News)
and September 26th (Documentary).
NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
*TIME CODE FOR 30-SECOND CEREMONY VIDEO CLIP NOW REQUIRED AS PART
OF ENTRY PROCESS
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AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Outstanding Live News Program
2. Outstanding Recorded News Program
28
30
OUTSTANDING NEWS PROGRAM (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$400; FINAL--$500)
EMERGING JOURNALIST (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$300; FINAL--$400)
NEWS COVERAGE (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$400; FINAL--$500)
3. Outstanding Emerging Journalist 32
4. Outstanding Breaking News Coverage
5. Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Short Form
6. Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Long Form
7. Outstanding Soft Feature Story: Short Form
8. Outstanding Soft Feature Story: Long Form
9. Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form
10. Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Long Form
11. Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Short Form
12. Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Long Form
13. Outstanding Live News Special
14. Outstanding Recorded News Special
15. Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis
16. Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis: Editorial and Opinion
17. Outstanding Live Interview—Short Form
18. Outstanding Live Interview—Long Form
19. Outstanding Edited Interview
20. Outstanding Science and Technology Coverage
21. Outstanding Climate, Environment and Weather Coverage
22. Outstanding Health or Medical Coverage
23. Outstanding Arts, Culture or Entertainment Coverage
24. Outstanding Business, Consumer or Economic Coverage
25. Outstanding Crime and Justice Coverage
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
48
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
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DOCUMENTARIES (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$400; FINAL--$500)
SPANISH LANGUAGE (ENTRY FEE: CATEGORIES 38, 40-42: EARLY--$400; FINAL--$500;
CATEGORY 39: EARLY-- 300; FINAL--$400)
26. Outstanding Current Aairs Documentary
27. Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary
28. Outstanding Social Issue Documentary
29. Outstanding Investigative Documentary
30. Outstanding Historical Documentary
31. Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary
32. Outstanding Science and Technology Documentary
33. Outstanding Nature Documentary
34. Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary
35. Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary
36. Outstanding Short Documentary
37. Best Documentary
57
57
57
57
57
57
58
58
58
58
60
61
AWARD CATEGORIES
38. Outstanding News Program in Spanish
39. Outstanding Journalist in Spanish Language Media
40. Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in Spanish
41. Outstanding Investigative News Coverage in Spanish
42. Outstanding Feature Story in Spanish
63
65
66
67
68
CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT NEWS (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$300; FINAL--$400)
69
69
69
70
71
71
71
72
72
72
43. Outstanding Writing: News
44. Outstanding Research: News
45. Outstanding Direction: News
46. Outstanding Video Journalism
47. Outstanding Editing: News
48. Outstanding Graphic Design: News
49. Outstanding Music Composition: News
50. Outstanding Sound: News
51. Outstanding Lighting Direction: News
52. Outstanding Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenic Design: News
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AWARD CATEGORIES
CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT DOCUMENTARY (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$300; FINAL--$400)
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE: NEWS (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$300; FINAL--$400)
PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (ENTRY FEE: EARLY--$400; FINAL--$500)
53. Outstanding Writing: Documentary
54. Outstanding Research: Documentary
55. Outstanding Direction: Documentary
56. Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary
57. Outstanding Editing: Documentary
58. Outstanding Graphic Design: Documentary
59. Outstanding Music Composition: Documentary
60. Outstanding Sound: Documentary
61. Outstanding Lighting Direction: Documentary
62. Outstanding Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenic Design: Documentary
73
73
73
74
74
74
75
75
75
75
63. Technical Excellence: News 78
64. Outstanding Promotional Announcement: News
65. Outstanding Promotional Announcement: Doc
79
79
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. OUTSTANDING LIVE NEWS PROGRAM
Prerecorded “as-live” and “live-to-tape” programming may be submitted to Live News Program
categories if: (a) the program is presented substantially as-switched with minimal post-production,
(b) the program is transmitted within twenty-four (24) hours of its initial recording, and (c) the
program includes at least one (1) or more elements otherwise associated with a typical Live News
Program, such as multi-camera in-studio or remote interviews, “cross talk” with correspondents, or
real-time commentary in conjunction with an event occurring live at the time of recording. Programs
assembled in post-production from multiple individual sources, such as “iso” camera recordings, do
not satisfy the “Live-to-Tape” denition.
• This category recognizes overall excellence in a live news program over the course of
the calendar year 2023.
• Submissions are limited to regularly scheduled news broadcasts or branded blocks of
news programming that cover current and ongoing news stories. News specials and
other non-regularly scheduled news broadcasts, and stand-alone digital reports that
are not a part of a regularly scheduled digital news broadcast, are not eligible in this
category.
• This category is limited to programs that are aired live: programs, typically with an
anchor or host, that are broadcast in real time. See below for eligibility criteria for “live-
to-tape” broadcasts.
• Entries may include pre-recorded segments that air as part of the broadcast, but in
order to be eligible for this category, the program itself must be a regularly scheduled
program that is broadcast live, in real time. Shows that are pre-recorded must submit
to category 2/Outstanding Recorded News Program.
• Submission videos are intended to showcase the overall excellence of the broadcast
over the course of the eligibility year and may include examples of coverage of a variety
of dierent stories. Submissions must include between 3 and 7 excerpts of continuous
coverage from at least two distinct airdates from throughout the calendar year 2023.
Submission videos should have a running time of no less than 30 minutes and no more
than 60 minutes. Any material submitted as part of a submission in this category stands
in for the overall excellence of the news program over the course of the calendar year.
Consequently, the titles of the individual segments or reports submitted are not listed
on the nominations or honorees press release.
LIVE-TO-TAPE
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Conversely, programs consisting substantially of a host or host(s) introducing prerecorded reports or
other elements, with no other elements associated with a typical Live News Program, should submit to
2/Recorded News Program, irrespective of whether such host elements are presented live.
1. Since this category is for the overall excellence of the broadcast over the course of
the eligibility year, statue-eligible credits submitted should include all statue-eligible
individuals who worked on the show over the course of the eligibility year, not simply
those that worked on the video content submitted for consideration.
2. In order to be statue-eligible, an individual must have worked and received credit on
nineteen percent (19%) of the total episodes of the show in the eligibility year.
“LIVE” INTRODUCTIONS
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
NOTE:
• Only one (1) submission per news program.
• Minimum/Maximum Running Times for Submissions: Submission videos should have a
running time of no less than 30 minutes and no more than 60 minutes.
• Minimum/Maximum Number of Excerpts: Submissions must include between 3 and
7 excerpts of continuous coverage from at least two distinct airdates from throughout
the calendar year 2023. Each excerpt must be a straight run without internal editing
of program content. Dip to black between excerpts of non- continuous programming.
• Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words describing the overall excellence
of the broadcast over the course of the year 2023 and explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission Video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital
/ VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other
• Producer titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible),
Directors, Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing
Editors, Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
2. OUTSTANDING RECORDED NEWS PROGRAM
• This category recognizes overall excellence in a recorded news program over the
course of the calendar year 2023.
• Submissions are limited to regularly scheduled news broadcasts. News specials and
other non-regularly scheduled news broadcasts, and stand-alone digital reports that
are not a part of a regularly scheduled digital news broadcast, are not eligible in this
category.
• This category is limited to programs that are recorded for later broadcast, as opposed
to live programs broadcast in real time.
• Shows that are broadcast live, in real time, may submit to category 1/Outstanding
Live News Program. Some live-to-tape programming may be eligible for category 1/
Outstanding Live News Program. See Live-to-Tape criteria below.
• Programs featuring live introductions of largely recorded packages should submit to 2/
Outstanding Recorded News Program. See the “Live Introductions” language below.
• Submission videos are intended to showcase the overall excellence of the broadcast
over the course of the eligibility year and may include examples of coverage of a variety
of dierent stories. Submissions must include between 3 and 7 excerpts of continuous
coverage from at least two distinct airdates from throughout the calendar year 2023.
Submission videos should have a running time of no less than 30 minutes and no more
than 60 minutes. Any material submitted as part of a submission in this category stands
in for the overall excellence of the news program over the course of the calendar year.
Consequently, the titles of the individual segments or reports submitted are not listed
on the nominations or honorees press release. Only the title of the news program will
be listed.
Prerecorded “as-live” and “live-to-tape” programming may be submitted to Live News Program
categories if: (a) the program is presented substantially as-switched with minimal post-production, (b)
the program is transmitted within twenty-four (24) hours of its initial recording, and (c) the program
includes at least one (1) or more elements otherwise associated with a typical Live News Program,
such as multi-camera in-studio or remote interviews, “cross talk” with correspondents, or real time
commentary in conjunction with an event occurring live at the time of recording.
Programs assembled in post-production from multiple individual sources, such as “iso” camera
recordings, do not satisfy the “Live-to-Tape” denition.
LIVE-TO-TAPE
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Conversely, programs consisting substantially of a host or host(s) introducing prerecorded reports or
other elements, with no other elements associated with a typical Live News Program, should submit to
2/Recorded News Program, irrespective of whether such host elements are presented live.
“LIVE” INTRODUCTIONS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Only one (1) submission per news program.
• Minimum/Maximum Running Times for Submissions: Submission videos should have a
running time of no less than 30 minutes and no more than 60 minutes.
• Minimum/Maximum Number of Excerpts: Submissions must include between 3 and
7 excerpts of continuous coverage from at least two distinct airdates from throughout
the calendar year 2023. Each excerpt must be a straight run without internal editing
of program content. Dip to black between excerpts of non- continuous programming.
• Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words describing the overall excellence
of the broadcast over the course of the year 2023 and explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission Video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
1. Since this category is for overall excellence of the broadcast over the course of the
eligibility year, statue-eligible credits submitted should include all statue- eligible
individuals who worked on the show over the course of the eligibility year, not simply
those that worked on the video content submitted for consideration.
2. In order to be statue-eligible, an individual must have worked and received credit on
nineteen percent (19%) of the total episodes of the show in the eligibility year.
NOTE:
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
3. OUTSTANDING EMERGING JOURNALIST
The category recognizes individual excellence by a broadcast or digital journalist in the early
stages of their career. Eligible positions include reporters, anchors, hosts and co-hosts, and
other journalistic roles on a case-by-case basis. Entry video should demonstrate the entrant’s
individual excellence in news coverage of a single or multiple stories over the course of the 2023
eligibility year.
ENTRANTS MUST BE:
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Under 35 years of age (i.e. must not have turned 35 by the competition’s eligibility year
deadline of December 31, 2023).Entry constitutes certication of age eligibility. NATAS
or a third-party verication service may reach out during the vetting process to conrm
eligibility.
• For job titles other than those enumerated above–reporter, anchor, host or co-host—
contact Emmy sta at news@theemmys.tv to inquire about eligibility.
• This category recognizes that one of the strengths of an Emerging Journalist may be
their social media voice and excerpts that showcase this skill are welcomed.
• Only one individual per entry; only one entry per individual (clips from multiple networks
are allowed).
• Submission Video: Entry video should demonstrate the entrant’s individual excellence
in news coverage over the course of the eligibility year. Upload your submission video
to the Media page of the submission site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/.
• Important: Be sure to follow the video specications on page 17 of the rulebook when
preparing your video. Remove all commercials from submission video.
• Maximum Submission time: 60 minutes.
• Clips can focus on coverage of a single story or multiple stories. Body of work entries
are allowed in this category provided all submitted material originally aired in 2023.
• There is no limit as to the number of excerpts or excerpt length.
• Essay: An essay of up to 750 words describing the entrant’s submission and work as a
journalist during the eligibility year of 2023. (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Eligibility: Calendar year 2023 (all clips included in the submission video must be from
2023).
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
4. OUTSTANDING BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE
This category is reserved for coverage of breaking news stories, and may include coverage of
unanticipated events, such as an earthquake or a terrorist attack, and anticipated events, such as
the verdict in a trial. Entries must focus on a single news event, rather than a series of distinct but
thematically related events (coverage of a particular mass shooting rather than a series of unrelated
mass shootings; coverage of a specic hurricane rather than a series of successive storms in a single
season). Entries may include live or taped elements and online video content. All footage included
in the submission must have been broadcast within 48 hours of the rst report of the breaking
news event. If a subsequent breaking development in a particular story occurs at a later time, after
the 48-hour period covered by the submission, coverage of this aspect of the breaking story may
be submitted as a separate submission.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single breaking news event. All footage included
in the submission must have been broadcast within 48 hours of the rst report of the
breaking news event.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®
-worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital
/ VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
• Note: credited entrants in this category are limited to those individuals who worked on
the 48 hours of coverage submitted for consideration.
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5. OUTSTANDING CONTINUING NEWS COVERAGE: SHORT FORM
For excellence in continuing coverage of a single ongoing news story. Entries must include at
least two (2) reports from at least two (2) distinct airdates. Entries will be judged in part on story
advancement. This category is reserved for reports that run 12 minutes or less. Multiple reports
are required in this category, but all included reports must run 12 minutes or under, and the total
running time of the submission video must not exceed 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired reports provided the total running time of the
submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to black between individual reports.
• Maximum length of individual reports: 12 minutes. Any Continuing Coverage
submissions containing reports longer than 12 minutes must submit to category 6/
Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Long Form.
• Note: Because this category is dened by length (i.e. each included report must be 12
minutes or less) each included report must be a complete, as-aired report, rather than
an edited version of an over 12-minute report that is cut down to meet the maximum
length of 12 minutes for a short form news category.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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6. OUTSTANDING CONTINUING NEWS COVERAGE: LONG FORM
For excellence in continuing coverage of a single ongoing news story through a series of reports.
Entries must include at least two (2) reports from at least two (2) distinct airdates. Entries will be
judged in part on story advancement. This category is reserved for submissions containing individual
reports that run 12 minutes or longer (12:01 or longer). An entry in 6/Continuing News Coverage: Long
Form may include reports that run 12 minutes or less, but if any report in the submission runs over 12
minutes (12:01 or longer) the entry must be submitted to category 6/ Continuing News Coverage:
Long Form. The maximum running time for submission video in this category is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired reports provided the total running time of the
submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to black between individual reports.
• This category is for entries that contain reports that run longer than 12 minutes (12:01 or
longer). An entry in 6/Continuing News Coverage: Long Form may include reports that
run 12 minutes or less, but if any report in the submission runs over 12 minutes (12:01 or
longer) the entry must be submitted to category6/ Continuing News Coverage: Long
Form.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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7. OUTSTANDING SOFT FEATURE STORY: SHORT FORM
This category is reserved for soft feature stories—human interest stories, proles etc., often with a
light, humorous or uplifting tone–that run 12 minutes or less. Feature stories are generally dened
as enterprise reporting that emphasizes a narrative or storytelling approach to the subject matter
and includes more context and background than is typically found in a straight factual news story.
Entries must be drawn from a single broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions composed of
multiple reports from dierent airdates are not eligible in this category. Soft feature stories that
run longer than 12 minutes (12:01 or longer) must submit to 8/ Outstanding Soft Feature Story:
Long Form.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story and must be drawn from a single
broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from dierent
airdates are not eligible in this category.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 12 minutes.
• Note: Because this category is dened by length (i.e. each included report must be 12
minutes or less) each included report must be a complete, as-aired report, rather than
an edited version of an over 12-minute report that is cut down to meet the maximum
length of 12 minutes for a short form news category.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital
/VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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8. OUTSTANDING SOFT FEATURE STORY: LONG FORM
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story and must be drawn from a single
broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from dierent
airdates are not eligible in this category.
• Report length. This category is for entries that contain feature stories that run longer
than 12 minutes (12:01 or longer).
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
This category is reserved for soft feature reports—human interest stories, proles etc., often with a
light, humorous or uplifting tone–that run longer than 12 minutes (12:01 or longer). Feature stories
are generally dened as enterprise reporting that emphasizes a narrative or storytelling approach
to the subject matter and includes more context and background than is typically found in a straight
factual news story. Entries must be drawn from a single broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions
composed of multiple reports from dierent airdates are not eligible in this category. Soft feature
stories that run 12 minutes or less should submit to 7/ Outstanding Soft Feature Story: Short Form.
Maximum running time in this category is 60 minutes.
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9. OUTSTANDING HARD NEWS FEATURE STORY: SHORT FORM
This category is reserved for feature reports on current hard news stories that run 12 minutes or
less. Feature stories are generally dened as enterprise reporting that emphasizes a narrative or
storytelling approach to the subject matter and includes more context and background than is
typically found in a straight factual news story. Entries must be drawn from a single broadcast on a
single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from dierent airdates are not eligible in
this category. Hard news features that run 12 minutes or longer (12:01 or longer) must submit to 10/
Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Long Form.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story and must be drawn from a single
broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from dierent
airdates are not eligible in this category.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 12 minutes.
• Note: Because this category is dened by length (i.e. each included report must be 12
minutes or less) each included report must be a complete, as-aired report, rather than
an edited version of an over 12-minute report that is cut down to meet the maximum
length of 12 minutes for a short form news category.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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10. OUTSTANDING HARD NEWS FEATURE STORY: LONG FORM
This category is reserved for feature reports on current hard news stories that run longer than
12 minutes (12:01 or longer). Feature stories are generally dened as enterprise reporting that
emphasizes a narrative or storytelling approach to the subject matter and includes more context
and background than is typically found in a straight factual news story. Entries must be drawn from
a single broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from dierent
airdates are not eligible in this category. Hard News feature stories that run 12 minutes or less
should submit to 9/Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form. Maximum running time in
this category is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story and must be drawn from a single
broadcast on a single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from
dierent airdates are not eligible in this category.
• Report length. This category is for entries that contain feature stories that run longer
than 12 minutes (12:01 or longer).
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is
Emmy®-worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the
submission site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video
specications on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all
commercials from submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/
digital/ VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing
Editors, Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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11. OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE NEWS COVERAGE: SHORT FORM
This category is reserved for short form investigative reporting. Emphasis is on original enterprise
reporting that is the result of the original investigative work of the on-screen reporter or news
organization that originally broadcast the report. Entries will be judged on the quality and
extent of the research, the presentation and the impact of the reporting, which may include new
legislation, policies, government or legal investigations, public outcry, etc. This category is reserved
for individual reports that run 12 minutes or less. Entries may consist of a single report or a series
of reports on a single topic. Multiple reports may be submitted to this category, but all included
reports must run 12 minutes or less and the total running time of the submission video must not
exceed 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired reports provided the total running time of the
submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to black between individual reports.
• Maximum length of individual reports: 12 minutes. Any Investigative News Coverage
submission containing reports longer than 12 minutes (12:01 or longer) must submit to
category 12/ Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Long Form.
• Note: Because this category is dened by length (i.e. each included report must be 12
minutes or less) each included report must be a complete, as-aired report, rather than
an edited version of an over 12-minute report that is cut down to meet the maximum
length of 12 minutes for a short form news category.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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12. OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE NEWS COVERAGE: LONG FORM
This category is reserved for long form investigative reporting. Emphasis is on original enterprise reporting
that is the result of the original investigative work of the on-screen reporter or news organization that
originally broadcast the report. Entries will be judged on the quality and extent of the research, the
presentation and the impact of the reporting, which may include new legislation, policies, government
or legal investigations, public outcry, etc. This category is reserved for individual reports that run longer
than 12 minutes. Entries may consist of a single report or a series of reports on a single topic. Entries in
12/ Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Long Form that include multiple reports may include
reports that run 12 minutes or less, but if any report in the submission is over 12 minutes (12:01 or longer)
the entry must be submitted to category 12/ Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Long Form.
The maximum running time for submission video in this category is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired reports provided the total running time of the
submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to black between individual reports.
• This category is for entries that contain reports that run longer than 12 minutes (12:01
or longer). An entry in 12/ Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Long Form that
includes multiple reports may include reports that run 12 minutes or less, but if any
report in the submission is over 12 minutes it must submit to category 12/ Outstanding
Investigative News Coverage: Long Form.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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13. OUTSTANDING LIVE NEWS SPECIAL
This category is open to planned special events and other types of non-regularly scheduled news
coverage that are broadcast live in real time: town halls, presidential and congressional debates,
election night coverage, a papal visit, etc. Live special editions of regularly scheduled shows will
be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some live-to-tape broadcasts may also be eligible in this
category (see the language below for “as-live” and “live-to-tape” specials). Maximum running time
for submission video is 60 minutes.
A “live” News Special can be either:
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Eligible submissions that run longer than the maximum submission video runtime
of 60 minutes may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
A Special that is broadcast live as it is conducted, without editing or
A prerecorded “as-live” or “live-to-tape” special that is later broadcast in its entirety with
minimal post-production. Specials that include anything other than extremely minor
editing must be submitted to 15/Recorded News Special. Programs assembled in post-
production from multiple individual sources, such as “iso” camera recordings, do not
satisfy the “Live-to-Tape” denition.
For “As-live” and “live-to-tape” specials transmitted more than twenty-four (24) hours
after the initial recording, contact News Emmy sta to inquire about whether the entry
is better placed in 13/Live News Special or 14/Recorded News Special.
a.
b.
c.
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14. OUTSTANDING RECORDED NEWS SPECIAL
This category is open to prerecorded planned special events, special reports on newsworthy topics,
and other types of non-regularly scheduled news specials. Special editions of regularly scheduled
shows will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Maximum running time for submission video is 60
minutes. Some “as-live” and “live-to-tape” specials may be eligible for category 13/ Outstanding Live
News Special. See the denition and requirements for that category for details.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Eligible submissions that run longer than the maximum submission video runtime
of 60 minutes may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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15. OUTSTANDING NEWS DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
This category is reserved for discussion and analysis of current news stories. It is open to broadcasts
devoted largely or solely to discussion and analysis (Washington Week, Meet the Press, Face the
Nation, This Week) as well as broadcasts that feature discussion and analysis as a primary element of
their regular programming (The Rachel Maddow Show, The Lead, etc.). Maximum running time for
submission video is 60 minutes. Submissions may include:
a. Discussion/analysis of a single story or subject. Entries may not exceed one hour in
length and may include excerpts of programming from throughout the broadcast year.
b. Or, a single broadcast of up to one hour devoted to discussion/analysis of a variety of
subjects, as is common on roundtable shows like Washington Week etc.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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16. OUTSTANDING NEWS DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS: EDITORIAL AND OPINION
This category is open to news analysis that features an editorial opinion or point of view, or that expresses
a particular ideological or political or other editorial perspective, or advocates for a particular policy
outcome. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, commentary, monologues, discussion and
reporting in which an identiable editorial perspective is a key part of the presentation. The editorial
perspective should be that of the news organization or of the reporter/ presenter/ journalist, and not
that of the subject of a news report. This category is reserved primarily for news broadcasts and is not
open to excerpts from documentaries.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
17. OUTSTANDING LIVE INTERVIEW: SHORT FORM
This category is open to live and live-to-tape interviews with one or more individuals on a single news
story (i.e. an interview with one or more victims of a specic hurricane, as opposed to victims of two
separate hurricanes that occurred at dierent times) that run 12 minutes or less. While the interview
may include multiple interview subjects (interviewees), the submission must contain a single interview
on a single subject or news story. This category is intended primarily for formal interviews where both
the interviewer(s) and the interviewee(s) are visible on camera, and where judges can evaluate the
interaction between them. At a minimum most or all of the questions posed should be audible, even
if the interviewer is o camera.
For live to tape submissions, NATAS may request further info regarding edits and other production
decisions to determine eligibility. NATAS reserves the right to reassign any submission in this
category to category 19/Outstanding Edited Interview if so warranted. This category is not intended
for documentary lms or excerpts from documentaries.
A “live” interview can be either:
a. An interview that is broadcast live as it is conducted, without editing or
b. A prerecorded “as-live” or “live-to-tape” interview that is later broadcast in its entirety
with minimal post- production. Interviews that include anything other than extremely
minor editing (for example signicantly condensing the original taped interview, altering
the sequence of questions posed etc.) must be submitted to 19/ Edited Interview.
c. For “As-live” and “live-to-tape” broadcasts transmitted more than twenty-four (24)
hours after the initial recording, contact News Emmy sta to inquire about whether the
entry is better placed in 17-18/Live Interview or 19/Edited Interview.
NOTE:
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single interview on a single subject or news story.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 12 minutes.
• Note: Because this category is dened by length (i.e. interviews must be 12 minutes or
less in length) submitted interviews must be a complete, as-aired interview, rather than
an edited version of an over 12-minute interview that was cut down or excerpted to
meet the maximum length of 12 minutes for a short form news category.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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18. OUTSTANDING LIVE INTERVIEW: LONG FORM
This category is open to live and live-to-tape interviews with one or more individuals on a single news
story (i.e. an interview with one or more victims of a specic hurricane, as opposed to victims of two
separate hurricanes that occurred at dierent times). This category is reserved for live interviews that
run longer than 12 minutes. While the interview may include multiple interview subjects (interviewees),
the submission must contain a single interview on a single subject or news story. This category is
intended primarily for formal interviews where both the interviewer(s) and the interviewee(s) are
visible on camera, and where judges can evaluate the interaction between them. At a minimum most
or all of the questions posed should be audible, even if the interviewer is o camera.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For live to tape submissions, NATAS may request further info regarding edits and other production
decisions to determine eligibility. NATAS reserves the right to reassign any submission in this
category to category 19/Outstanding Edited Interview if so warranted. This category is not intended
for documentary lms or excerpts from documentaries.
A “live” interview can be either:
NOTE:
a. An interview that is broadcast live as it is conducted, without editing or
b. A prerecorded “as-live” or “live-to-tape” interview that is later broadcast in its entirety
with minimal post- production. Interviews that include anything other than extremely
minor editing (for example signicantly condensing the original taped interview, altering
the sequence of questions posed etc.) must be submitted to 19/ Edited Interview.
c. For “As-live” and “live-to-tape” broadcasts transmitted more than twenty-four (24)
hours after the initial recording, contact News Emmy sta to inquire about whether the
entry is better placed in one of the Live Interview categories, or in 19/Edited Interview.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single interview on a single subject or news story.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions for live interviews that run longer than 60 minutes may contain up to 7
as-aired excerpts from the interview provided the total running time of the submission
video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to black between individual excerpts.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single interview on a single subject or news story.
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions for edited interviews that run longer than 60 minutes may contain up to 7
as-aired excerpts from the interview provided the total running time of the submission
video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to black between individual excerpts.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
19. OUTSTANDING EDITED INTERVIEW
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This category is open to edited/pre-recorded interviews with one or more individuals on a single
news story (i.e. an interview with one or more victims of a specic hurricane, as opposed to victims of
two separate hurricanes that occurred at dierent times). While the interview may include multiple
interview subjects (interviewees), the submission must contain a single interview on a single subject
or news story. This category is intended primarily for formal interviews where both the interviewer(s)
and the interviewee(s) are visible on camera, and where judges can evaluate the interaction between
them. At a minimum most or all of the questions posed should be audible, even if the interviewer is
o camera. This category is not intended for documentary lms or excerpts from documentaries.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
20. OUTSTANDING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COVERAGE
This category is open to news coverage of science and technology and related topics. Entries may
consist of a single report or a series of reports on a single topic. Maximum running time for submission
video is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
21. OUTSTANDING CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT AND WEATHER COVERAGE
This category is open to news coverage of climate, environment, weather and related topics. Entries
may consist of a single report or a series of reports on a single topic. Maximum running time for
submission video is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
22. OUTSTANDING HEALTH OR MEDICAL COVERAGE
This category is open to news coverage of health or medical stories and related topics. Entries may
consist of a single report or a series of reports on a single topic. Maximum running time for submission
video is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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23. OUTSTANDING ARTS, CULTURE OR ENTERTAINMENT COVERAGE
This category is open to news coverage of pop culture, arts and entertainment, lifestyle and related
topics. Entries may consist of a single report or a series of reports on a single topic. Maximum running
time for submission video is 60 minutes.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
24. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS, CONSUMER OR ECONOMIC COVERAGE
This category is open to news coverage of business, consumer or economic topics. Maximum running
time for submission video is 60 minutes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
25. OUTSTANDING CRIME AND JUSTICE COVERAGE
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Maximum Running Time for Submission video: 60 minutes.
• Submissions may contain up to 7 as-aired excerpts of continuous programming,
provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less. Dip to
black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
This category is reserved for news coverage of crime, the law, and other legal and criminal justice-
related topics. Maximum running time for submission video is 60 minutes.
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26. OUTSTANDING CURRENT AFFAIRS DOCUMENTARY
27. OUTSTANDING POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTARY
28. OUTSTANDING SOCIAL ISSUE DOCUMENTARY
29. OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY
30. OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY
31. OUTSTANDING ARTS & CULTURE DOCUMENTARY
This category is open to documentaries on current newsworthy subjects.
This category is open to documentaries on politics and/or government and related subjects.
Submissions may include but are not limited to: documentary treatments of political gures or
government oceholders or institutions; documentary treatments of political issues or public policy;
other political/governmental subjects or topics.
This category is open to documentaries dealing with social issues, for example poverty, obesity,
discrimination, immigration, the environment, climate change, bullying, sexual assault etc.
This category is reserved for investigative documentaries. Emphasis is on enterprise reporting that is
the result of the original investigative work of the lmmaker or lmmaking team. Entries will be judged
on the quality and extent of the research, and the presentation and the impact of the reporting, which
may include new legislation, policies, government or legal investigations, public outcry, etc.
This category is open to documentaries dealing with an historical event, personality or process.
This category is open to documentaries devoted to popular culture, the ne arts, and related cultural
topics.
*Denitions for documentary categories 26-35 are listed below, followed by the submission
requirements for these categories.
DOCUMENTARIES
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33. OUTSTANDING NATURE DOCUMENTARY
34. BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DOCUMENTARY
35. OUTSTANDING CRIME AND JUSTICE DOCUMENTARY
This category is reserved for documentaries on business or economic topics.
This category is reserved for documentaries focused on crime, the law, and other legal and criminal
justice related topics.
32. OUTSTANDING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DOCUMENTARY
This category is open to documentaries that have as their primary emphasis the examination of
scientic issues, discoveries and explorations and/or the development and use of technology. Entries
may feature the eorts and accomplishments of individuals and scientic institutions engaged in a
wide range of scientic and technological disciplines or may otherwise convey principles and insights
from those disciplines.
Entries should have as their primary emphasis the observation and exploration of nature, including
discoveries and revelations related to plants, animals and the environment. Entries may feature
the eorts and accomplishments of individuals engaged in the study of natural history and the
environment or may otherwise convey principles and insights from those disciplines.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CATEGORIES 26-35
• Categories 26-35 are reserved for documentaries and nonfiction programming. While
these categories are primarily for feature length documentaries, shorter documentaries
that choose not to submit to category 36/Short Documentary are allowed to submit to
categories 26-35 on a case-by-case basis.
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Entries may be drawn from a single broadcast or a series of broadcasts.
• Maximum Running Time for Submissions: Documentary films should be submitted in
their entirety. Documentary films that run longer than 3 hours may choose to submit up
to 7 excerpts totaling no more than 3 hours to represent the film under consideration.
Multi- episode documentary series that are eligible to enter as a series (see page 16
for info on series submissions) may enter up to 3 hours of content in the form of up to 7
excerpts or one or more individual episodes totaling up to 3 hours.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online / digital
/ VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
36. OUTSTANDING SHORT DOCUMENTARY
This category is reserved for short documentaries, i.e. documentaries with a running time of 40
minutes or less, including all credits. Both broadcast and VOD/Streaming documentaries are eligible
to submit to this category. Submissions may include single, stand-alone short documentaries, or a
single subject short documentary delivered in multiple parts or episodes, provided the total running
time of the nished product does not exceed 40 minutes. Documentaries with a running time of
more than 40 minutes must submit to one of the other Documentary categories (categories 26-35 &
37). This category is not intended for reports from newscasts or news magazines, or excerpts from, or
condensed versions of, feature length (i.e. longer than 40 minutes) documentaries.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR 36/SHORT DOCUMENTARY
• Category 36 is reserved for documentaries and nonction programming with a running
time of 40 minutes or less.
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submissions: 40 minutes, including all credits.
Documentaries that run longer than 40 minutes must submit to one of the other
Documentary categories (categories 26-35 & 37)
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online / digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
37. BEST DOCUMENTARY
This category recognizes the best documentary broadcast or streamed during 2023. Both feature
length and short documentaries are eligible to submit. Documentary lms should be submitted in
their entirety. Documentary lms that run longer than 3 hours may choose to submit up to 7 excerpts
totaling no more than 3 hours to represent the film under consideration. Multi-episode
documentary series that are eligible to enter as a series (see page 16 for info on series submissions)
may enter up to 3 hours of content in the form of up to 7 excerpts or one or more individual
episodes totaling up to 3 hours.
NOTES:
Entries in 37/Best Documentary can, but need not be, entered in ONE additional non-craft
documentary category (categories 26-36), and/or any number of documentary craft categories
(categories 53-62).
Beginning in 2024, the Best Documentary category will receive two rounds of judging to determine
the nominees, followed by a juried round to determine the winner of the category. This is in contrast
to previous years where the winners and nominees were determined by the results of the second
round of judging, which was not a juried round.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR 37/BEST DOCUMENTARY
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Entries may be drawn from a single broadcast or a series of broadcasts.
• Maximum Running Time for Submissions: Documentary films should be
submitted in
their entirety. Documentary films that run longer than 3 hours may choose to submit up
to 7 excerpts totaling no more than 3 hours to represent the film under consideration.
Multi- episode documentary series that are eligible to enter as a series (see page 16
for info on series submissions) may enter up to 3 hours of content in the form of up to 7
excerpts or one or more individual episodes totaling up to 3 hours.
• Maximum number of excerpts: Submissions requiring editing may contain up to 7
as- aired excerpts of continuous programming. Each excerpt must be a straight run
without internal editing of program content. Dip to black between excerpts of non-
continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specifications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons/Cinematographers, ManagingEditors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
38. OUTSTANDING NEWS PROGRAM IN SPANISH
SPANISH LANGUAGE
• This category recognizes overall excellence in a Spanish language news program over
the course of the calendar year 2023.
• Submissions are limited to regularly scheduled news broadcasts or branded blocks of
news programming that cover current and ongoing news stories. News specials and
other non- regularly scheduled news broadcasts, and stand-alone digital reports that
are not a part of a regularly scheduled digital news broadcast, are not eligible in this
category.
• Only one (1) submission per news program.
• Minimum and Maximum Running Time for Submissions: Submissions must contain a
minimum of 30 minutes of video and may contain up to 60 minutes of video.
• Entries must include a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 excerpts from throughout
the eligibility year (i.e. the calendar year of 2023) demonstrating the overall excellence
of the news program. Segments included in the entry must be pulled from at least two
(2) separate airdates. Each excerpt must be a straight run without internal editing of
program content. Dip to black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
The following categories are open to national Spanish language broadcasts. Entries for the Spanish-
language categories (categories 38-42) can be submitted without subtitles or voiceover and will be
judged by a panel of Spanish-language media professionals who are bilingual or Spanish procient.
Spanish language entries submitted to categories other than 38-42 must include either an English
language voiceover or subtitles.
This category is for overall excellence by a news program in Spanish. Any material submitted as part
of a submission in this category stands in for the overall excellence of the show over the course of the
calendar year. Consequently, the titles of the individual segments or reports submitted are not listed
on the nominations or honorees press release. Only the title of the Newscast (Noticiero Telemundo)
or Newsmagazine (Aqui y Ahora) will be listed.
NOTE:
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Since this category is for overall excellence of the broadcast over the course of the
eligibility year, statue-eligible credits submitted should include all statue-eligible
individuals who worked on the show over the course of the eligibility year, not
simply those that worked on the video content submitted for consideration.
2. In order to be statue-eligible, an individual must have worked and received credit
on nineteen percent (19%) of the total episodes of the show in the eligibility year.
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39. OUTSTANDING JOURNALIST IN SPANISH LANGUAGE MEDIA
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This category recognizes individual excellence by a broadcast or digital journalist working in Spanish
language media. Eligible positions include reporters, anchors, hosts and co-hosts, and other
journalistic roles on a case-by-case basis. Entry video should demonstrate the entrant’s individual
excellence in news coverage of a single or multiple stories over the course of the 2023 eligibility year.
• Only one individual per entry; only one entry per individual (clips from multiple networks
are allowed).
• Submission Video: Entry video should demonstrate the entrant’s individual excellence
in news coverage over the course of the eligibility year. Upload your submission video
to the Media page of the submission site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be
sure to follow the video specications on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your
video. Remove all commercials from submission video.
• Maximum Submission time: 60 minutes.
• Clips can focus on coverage of a single story or multiple stories. Body of work entries
are allowed in this category provided all submitted material originally aired in 2023.
• There is no limit as to the number of excerpts or excerpt length.
• Essay: An essay of up to 750 words describing the entrant’s submission and work as a
journalist during the eligibility year of 2023. (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Eligibility: Calendar year 2023 (all clips included in the submission video must be from
2023).
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40. OUTSTANDING COVERAGE OF A BREAKING NEWS STORY IN SPANISH
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This category is reserved for coverage of breaking news stories in Spanish, and may include coverage
of unanticipated events, such as an earthquake or a terrorist attack, and anticipated events, such as
the verdict in a trial. Entries must focus on a single news event, rather than a series of distinct but
thematically related events (coverage of a particular mass shooting rather than a series of unrelated
mass shootings; coverage of a specic hurricane rather than a series of successive storms in a single
season). Entries may include live or taped elements and online video content. All footage included
in the submission must have been broadcast within 48 hours of the rst report of the breaking news
event. If a subsequent breaking development in a particular story occurs at a later time, after the
48-hour period covered by the submission, coverage of this aspect of the breaking story may be
submitted as a separate submission.
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single breaking news event.
• Maximum Running Time for Submissions: 60 minutes.
• Maximum number of excerpts: Submissions requiring editing may contain up to 7
as- aired excerpts of continuous programming. Each excerpt must be a straight run
without internal editing of program content. Likewise, a submission composed of
a series of individual reports on a single topic may contain up to seven segments or
excerpts, provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less.
Dip to black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
• Note: credited entrants in this category are limited to those individuals who worked on
the 48 hours of coverage submitted for consideration.
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41. OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE NEWS COVERAGE IN SPANISH
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This category is reserved for investigative reports in Spanish-language media. Entries must contain
enterprise reporting that is the result of the original investigative work of the on-screen reporter or
news organization that originally broadcast the report. Entries may consist of a single report or a
series of reports on a single topic.
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submissions: 60 minutes.
• Maximum number of excerpts: Submissions requiring editing may contain up to 7
as- aired excerpts of continuous programming. Each excerpt must be a straight run
without internal editing of program content. Likewise, a submission composed of
a series of individual reports on a single topic may contain up to seven segments or
excerpts, provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less.
Dip to black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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42. OUTSTANDING FEATURE STORY IN SPANISH
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This category is reserved for feature stories in Spanish. Feature stories are generally dened as
enterprise reporting that emphasizes a narrative or storytelling approach to the subject matter and
includes more context and background than is typically found in a straight factual news story. Both
hard news and soft feature reports are eligible. Entries must be drawn from a single broadcast on a
single airdate. Submissions composed of multiple reports from dierent airdates are not eligible in
this category.
• Entries must be devoted entirely to a single story, subject or theme.
• Maximum Running Time for Submissions: 60 minutes.
• Maximum number of excerpts: Submissions requiring editing may contain up to 7
as- aired excerpts of continuous programming. Each excerpt must be a straight run
without internal editing of program content. Likewise, a submission composed of
a series of individual reports on a single topic may contain up to seven segments or
excerpts, provided the total running time of the submission video is 60 minutes or less.
Dip to black between excerpts of non-continuous programming.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy®-
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• Statue-Eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Producers (including Field
Producers, Coordinating Producers, Associate Producers and some other Producer
titles on a case-by-case basis; Production Assistants are not eligible), Directors,
Associate Directors, Editors, Camerapersons / Cinematographers, Managing Editors,
Writers, Reporters, Correspondents, Anchors, and some derivative job titles.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
43. OUTSTANDING WRITING: NEWS
44. OUTSTANDING RESEARCH: NEWS
45. OUTSTANDING DIRECTION: NEWS
CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT NEWS
This category is open to individuals and teams having the creative input in writing, re-writing and
amending the script or narration of news coverage. Entries must include one copy of the entire script
of the program or story submitted, in addition to the up to 750-word essay. Submission video in this
category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Writers
While writers are also statue-eligible in Program/Segment categories like Feature Story etc., a writer
that wins an Emmy in the Writing: News category cannot also be included in the winning credits for
the same story or content in a Program/Segment category. In the case of a win for the same story,
report or coverage in both a Writing and a Program/Segment category, the writer will be awarded a
statue in the Writing category only.
This category honors individuals engaged in factual and/or archival research for news coverage.
Entrants are those engaged in a signicant amount of careful investigation and study to discover
facts and collect information about a subject, or to locate and acquire audiovisual materials that form
the basis of a news report. Submission video in this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from
the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Researchers
This category is open to directors of news broadcasts. Directors are those responsible for bringing
to air all the production elements in order to present a nished product. Individuals and teams are
eligible. Eligible submissions may originate from a) regularly scheduled news broadcasts, such as a
nightly newscast or morning show or b) live or live-to-tape news events like unscheduled coverage
of a breaking news event, special events like town halls or election coverage etc. Submission video
in this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Submissions may include:
a. Up to 25 minutes of excerpts from a single news broadcast on a single airdate
showcasing the skill of the director.
b. Up to 25 minutes of excerpts from a single news event—a breaking news event, a special
event like a town hall or election coverage etc. showcasing the skill of the director.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Note: While all other craft categories require that material submitted for consideration must focus
on a single story, subject or theme, submissions in this category that focus on direction of a particular
broadcast of a particular show (option “a” above, for example the July 15th episode of a nightly
newscast) may include multiple segments on distinct topics. Entries showcasing the direction of a
single news event, such as a breaking news event or election coverage (option ‘B’ above) must focus
on the event in question (for example an entry showcasing a particular director’s direction of multiple,
distinct and unrelated breaking news events on dierent airdates is not eligible).
Statue-eligible: Directors, Associate Directors, and Stage Managers (this category is not open to
Technical Directors).
While directors are also statue-eligible in Program/Segment categories like Breaking News, a director
that wins an Emmy in the Directing: News category cannot also be included in the winning credits
for the same story or content in a Program/Segment category. In the case of a win for the same story,
report or coverage in both a Directing and a Program/Segment category, the director will be awarded
a statue in the Directing category only.
46. OUTSTANDING VIDEO JOURNALISM: NEWS
This category is open to camera work for news coverage, and may include reports from newscasts
and newsmagazines, as well as live coverage, special reports, and other types of news coverage. It
is intended for those who actually record on digital media, videotape and lm events, interviews,
and other visuals which comprise a news program or story. The cameraperson is the person actually
operating and guiding the camera, whether working independently or under the direction of a producer
or director. Camerawork for documentaries must be submitted to category 56. Submission video in
this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Cameraperson, Cinematographer, Director of Photography.
Note: Camerapersons and Cinematographers are also statue eligible in Program/Segment
categories. However, a cameraperson can only win a single statue for the same work. In the case
of a cameraperson winning in the Video Journalism category for a story or report that also wins in a
Program category like Breaking News, the cameraperson will be awarded a statue in the Outstanding
Video Journalism: News category only.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
47. OUTSTANDING EDITING: NEWS
48. OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN: NEWS
49. OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION: NEWS
This category is open to editing for news coverage, and may include reports from newscasts and
news magazines, as well as live coverage, special reports, and other types of news coverage. Editors
are those individuals responsible for editing digital media, videotape and lm to produce a nished
story or program. Editing for documentaries must be submitted to category 57. Submission video in
this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Editor.
Note: Editors are also considered statue eligible in Program/Segment categories. However, an editor
can only win a single statue for the same work. In the case of an editor winning in Editing: News for
a story or report that also wins in a Program/Segment category like Feature Story, the editor will be
awarded a statue in the Outstanding Editing: News category only.
This category is open to Graphic Designers for news coverage. Graphic Designers include artists and
designers who create electronic graphics, graphics illustrators, electronic and lm animators, and
artists and designers who employ electronic devices, as well as traditional artistic tools, to develop
graphic elements for news programs.
These include, but are not limited to: opens, teases, title sequences, and other graphic elements for
news broadcasts; motion graphics that work in tandem with live action elements to create a cohesive
visual story for a news feature or report; visual eects utilizing 3D modeling, motion tracking,
augmented reality and other techniques. The material submitted must be new material for 2023.
Submission video in this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report
under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Graphic Designers and derivative positions on a case-by-case basis.
This category is open to original compositions, including original songs, for news broadcasts.
Composers are eligible to submit. All music must be new and original for 2023 and must be composed
specically for the broadcast by the submitting composer. Note: All submissions in this category
MUST include a genuine stereo mix, NOT a dual channel mono mix. Submission video in this category
is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Composer.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
50. OUTSTANDING SOUND: NEWS
51. OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION: NEWS
52. OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION / SCENIC DESIGN / SET DECORATION: NEWS
This category is open to individuals who make a signicant contribution to the audio portion of a
news broadcast, one that enhances viewer understanding or appreciation of the telecast. Eligible
disciplines include sound engineers, sound recording, sound editing, sound design and sound mixing.
Note: All submissions in this category MUST include a genuine stereo mix, NOT a dual channel mono
mix. Submission video in this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report
under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Sound Engineer, Sound Recordist, Sound Mixer, Sound Editor, Sound Designer and
derivative positions on a case-by-case basis.
This category is open to individuals who make a signicant contribution to the lighting direction of a
news broadcast. Lighting Directors are those responsible for the creative direction of the lighting of a
studio or remote site. Statue eligible individuals are those that play a signicant role in conceptualizing
and /or executing the lighting direction, as opposed to executives who oversee or approve the work.
The material submitted must be new material for 2023. Submission video in this category is limited to
25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Lighting Director and derivative positions on a case-by-case basis.
This category is open to Art Directors, Scenic Designers and Set Decorators for news broadcasts. Art
Directors are those with the creative responsibility for the overall look and feel of a news broadcast.
Scenic Designers are responsible for the design and placement of scenery and scenic elements in
the studio or eld. Set Decorators are responsible for decorating the set of a news broadcast. The
material submitted must be new material for 2023. Submission video in this category is limited to 25
minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Art Directors, Scenic Designers, Set Decorators, and derivative positions on a case-
by-case basis.
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CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT DOCUMENTARY
53. OUTSTANDING WRITING: DOCUMENTARY
54. OUTSTANDING RESEARCH: DOCUMENTARY
55. OUTSTANDING DIRECTION: DOCUMENTARY
This category is open to individuals and teams having the creative input in writing, re-writing and
amending the script or narration of a documentary. Entries must include one copy of the entire script
of the program submitted, in addition to the up to 750-word essay. Submission video in this category
is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Writers
While writers are also statue-eligible in Program/Segment categories like Social Issue Documentary
etc., a writer that wins an Emmy in the Writing: Documentary category cannot also be included in the
winning credits for the same story or content in a Program/Segment category. In the case of a win
for the same documentary lm in both a Writing and a Program/Segment category, the writer will be
awarded a statue in the Writing category only.
This category honors individuals engaged in factual and/or archival research for a documentary.
Entrants are those engaged in a signicant amount of careful investigation and study to discover
facts and collect information about a subject, or to locate and acquire audiovisual materials that form
the basis of a documentary lm program. Submission video in this category is limited to 25 minutes
of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Researchers
This category is open to directors of documentary lms. Directors are those responsible for bringing
to air all the production elements in order to present a nished product. Directors of both short and
feature length documentaries are eligible to submit. This category is not open to Technical Directors.
Documentary lms should be submitted in their entirety. Documentary lms that run longer than
3 hours may submit up to 7 excerpts totaling no more than 3 hours to represent the lm under
consideration.
Statue-eligible: Directors, Associate Directors
While directors are statue-eligible in Program categories like Outstanding Current Aairs
Documentary or Outstanding Social Issue Documentary, a director that wins an Emmy in the
Direction: Documentary category cannot also be included in the winning credits for the same lm in
a Program category. In the case of a win for the same lm in both a Directing and a Program category,
the director will be awarded a statue in the Directing category only.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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56. OUTSTANDING CINEMATOGRAPHY: DOCUMENTARY
57. OUTSTANDING EDITING: DOCUMENTARY
58. OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN: DOCUMENTARY
This category is open to camerawork for documentaries. It is intended for those who actually
record on digital media, videotape and lm events, interviews, and other visuals which comprise
a documentary. The cinematographer is the person actually operating and guiding the camera,
whether working independently or under the direction of a producer or director. Both short and
feature length documentaries should submit to this category. Submission video in this category is
limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Cameraperson, Cinematographer, Director of Photography.
Note: Camerapersons and Cinematographers are also considered statue eligible in Program
categories. However, a cinematographer can only win a single statue for the same work. In the case
of a cinematographer winning in the Cinematography: Documentary category for a story or report
that also wins in a Program category like Current Aairs Documentary, the cinematographer will be
awarded a statue in the Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary category only.
This category is open to editing for documentaries. Editors are those individuals responsible for
editing digital media, videotape and lm to produce a nished documentary. Both short and feature
length documentaries should submit to this category. Documentary lms should be submitted in
their entirety. Documentary lms that run longer than 3 hours may submit up to 7 excerpts totaling
no more than 3 hours to represent the lm under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Editor.
Note: Editors are also considered statue eligible in Program categories. However, an editor can only
win a single statue for the same work. In the case of an editor winning in Editing: Documentary for a
story or report that also wins in a Program category like Current Aairs Documentary, the editor will
be awarded a statue in the Outstanding Editing: Documentary category only.
This category is open to Graphic Designers for documentaries. Graphic Designers include artists and
designers who create electronic graphics, graphics illustrators, electronic and lm animators, and
artists and designers who employ electronic devices, as well as traditional artistic tools, to develop
graphic elements for documentaries. These include, but are not limited to: opens, teases, title
sequences, and other graphic elements for documentaries; motion graphics that work in tandem
with live action elements to create a cohesive visual story for a documentary; visual eects utilizing
3D modeling, motion tracking, augmented reality and other techniques. The material submitted
must be new material for 2023. Submission video in this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts
from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Graphic Designers and derivative positions on a case-by-case basis.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
59. OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION: DOCUMENTARY
60. OUTSTANDING SOUND: DOCUMENTARY
61. OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION: DOCUMENTARY
62. OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION / SET DECORATION / SCENIC DESIGN:
DOCUMENTARY
This category is open to original compositions, including original songs, for documentary lms.
Composers are eligible to submit. All music must be new and original for 2023 and must be composed
specically for the program by the submitting composer. Note: All submissions in this category MUST
include a genuine stereo mix, NOT a dual channel mono mix. Submission video in this category is
limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the documentary under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Composer.
This category is open to individuals who make a signicant contribution to the audio portion of a
documentary, one that enhances viewer understanding or appreciation of the program. Eligible
disciplines include sound recording, sound editing, sound design and sound mixing. Note: All
submissions in this category MUST include a genuine stereo mix, NOT a dual channel mono mix.
Submission video in this category is limited to 25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report
under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Sound Recordist, Sound Mixer, Sound Editor, Sound Designer and derivative positions
on a case-by-case basis.
This category is open to individuals who make a signicant contribution to the lighting direction of a
documentary. Lighting Directors are those responsible for the creative direction of the lighting of a
studio or remote site. Statue eligible individuals are those that play a signicant role in conceptualizing
and /or executing the lighting direction, as opposed to executives who oversee or approve the work.
The material submitted must be new material for 2023. Submission video in this category is limited to
25 minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Lighting Director and derivative positions on a case-by-case basis.
This category is open to Art Directors, Scenic Designers and Set Decorators for documentaries. Art
Directors are those with the creative responsibility for the overall look and feel of a documentary lm.
Scenic Designers are responsible for the design and placement of scenery and scenic elements in
the studio or eld. Set Decorators are responsible for decorating the set of a documentary lm. The
material submitted must be new material for 2023. Submission video in this category is limited to 25
minutes of excerpts from the program or report under consideration.
Statue-eligible: Art Directors, Scenic Designers, Set Decorators, and derivative positions on a case-
by-case basis.
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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CRAFT CATEGORIES 43-62
• Submissions must be devoted to a single story, subject or theme. While body of work
submissions are prohibited, excerpts from a variety of news reports on a given topic
or theme (for example a series of reports on the refugee crisis submitted by a news
cameraman in Video Journalism: News), or from an ongoing franchise or regularly
occurring segment in a newscast (for example a series of commentaries submitted to
the Writing category) may be eligible and will be evaluated on a case-by- case basis.
Documentary craft submissions must be drawn from a single documentary lm (note:
a multipart lm on a single subject qualies as a single lm).
• NOTE: See the denition of category 45/Direction: News for an exception to this rule
in that category only.
• Team entries are allowed provided the team of craft persons are co-creators of a single
product (for example a team of researchers who collect information that forms the
basis of a documentary). However, one cannot simultaneously enter as an individual
for the same work done as part of a team entry. Double Entry is not permitted.
• An individual may enter more than one Craft Achievement area. If an individual works in
dierent disciplines (i.e. as a writer and a researcher), they may enter in those separate
disciplines.
• Maximum running time for Craft Achievement submission videos is 25 minutes
(exceptions are categories 55/Outstanding Direction: Documentary and 57/
Outstanding Editing: Documentary. See the category denitions for these categories
for maximum running times). Submission videos for programs running longer than 25
minutes must include excerpts demonstrating the Emmy-worthiness of the craft under
consideration. There is no segment limit in categories 43-54, 56, and 58-62. Entries
may include as many as-aired segments or excerpts as necessary to demonstrate
excellence, provided the running time of the submission does not exceed 25 minutes.
No internal editing within segments or excerpts is allowed.
• Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why it is Emmy® -
worthy (see page 15 for essay instructions).
• Writing Entries: Entrants in the Writing categories (categories 43 and 53) must submit
one copy of the script for the program or story submitted, in addition to the essay and
submission video.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video.
• Promotional Announcements that promote or advertise a news or documentary
broadcast are not eligible for submission to the craft categories. Promos are eligible in
categories 64/Outstanding Promotional Announcement: News and 65/Outstanding
Promotional Announcement: Documentary.
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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63. TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE: NEWS
SUBMISSION MATERIALS
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
This category is open to individuals and teams of individuals who signicantly contribute to the
technical portion of news broadcasts. It recognizes studio and remote operations personnel for their
technical execution of news broadcasts, including achievements in crafting creative and innovative
technical solutions to broadcasting problems and challenges.
Eligible submissions may originate from regularly scheduled live and taped news broadcasts
(newscasts, news magazines, morning shows etc.), as well as live coverage and news specials. Entries
may focus on coverage of a particular event (live coverage of a breaking event, for example, or planned
coverage of an anticipated event like an election etc.); Coverage of a particular story (an ongoing
series of investigative reports on a single topic); or a particular broadcast of a regularly scheduled
show (the Jan 10 episode of Show X was particularly well-executed, etc.).
Statue-eligible: Technical Supervisors, Technical Managers, Technical Directors, Video Engineers,
Field Engineers, Field IT Engineers, Senior Video Controls, Electronic Camera Persons, ENG Camera
Operators and Video Controls, Video le Playback Operators/Editors, Graphics Operators, Senior
Audio Engineers, Audio Engineers, Audio Mixers, Audio Support, Senior Maintenance Engineers,
Broadcast Media Manager/Network Engineers, Stage Managers. Producers, Developers, Software
Engineers, Analysts, and other potentially mission-critical and/or derivative technical positions that
make a signicant contribution to the submission may be considered upon a review of the work and
a petition detailing their contributions.
AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
a. An up to 25-minute video showcasing the work of the technical team. The submission
video may include an explanatory, “behind the scenes” excerpt of no more than 5
continuous minutes. The explanatory video cannot be the only video excerpt submitted
with the entry. Actual news coverage as aired illustrating the work of the technical team
must be included in the video submission. There is no limit to the number of excerpts
that may be included to showcase technical excellence. The total running time of the
submission video, including the “behind the scenes” excerpt and the as-aired footage,
should not exceed 25 minutes.
b. An essay of up to 750 words describing the work of the technical team and explaining
why it is Emmy worthy.
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
64. OUTSTANDING PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT: NEWS
65. OUTSTANDING PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT: DOCUMENTARY
• These categories recognize outstanding achievement in promotional announcements
for news & documentary broadcasts.
• Submission video: Upload your submission video to the Media page of the submission
site at https://enter.theemmys.tv/. Important: Be sure to follow the video specications
on page 17 of the rulebook when preparing your video. Remove all commercials from
submission video. Dip to black between all spots or campaign segments.
• Individual promotional spots with a total running time of over 180 seconds will be
reviewed by NATAS sta for eligibility.
• Essay: Each entry must include an essay of up to 750 words explaining why the promo
or campaign is Emmy®-worthy. Your essay should address the following issues:
1. Concept: What is the core message of the promo or campaign and how does it
deliver that message? How does the promo “sell” the news or documentary
broadcast without misrepresenting the facts of the story underlying it?
2. Eectiveness/Impact: Describe the way the promo/campaign seeks to grab the
viewer’s attention and motivate him or her to tune in.
3. Execution: Describe the creative and innovative ways that the production
elements— graphics, music, editing, script—are brought together to convey the
core message of the spot or campaign.
This category is for entries that advertise and promote, through an individual spot and/ or overall
campaign, the brand/image of a network news division, cable news channel and/or individual news
program or series (CNN, CBS News, NBC News, Dateline, 60 Minutes, Nightline etc.), or the storyline
or content of a particular telecast. If a promotional campaign is entered, no spots from that campaign
can also be entered individually.
This category is for entries that advertise and promote, through an individual spot and/ or overall
campaign, the brand/image of an individual documentary lm or series, or the Brand / image of a
network or platform broadcasting documentary programming. If a promotional campaign is entered,
no spots from that campaign can also be entered individually.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS
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AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITIONS AND
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• National telecasts (over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcasts etc.) and online/ digital/
VOD programming are eligible for submission.
• Statue-eligible: Executive Producers, Senior Producers, Coordinating Producers,
Supervising Producers, Producers, Associate Producer, Directors, Art Directors,
Editors, Camera Persons, Writers, Music Directors, Composers of original music for a
promo, Audio Engineers, Graphic Designers, Production Designers, Creative Directors
and some derivative job titles, provided their role was more than supervisory and
that they made a substantial creative contribution to the content of the promotional
announcement or campaign. Titles such as VP Brand Marketing etc. may be eligible on
a case-by-case basis. All titles are subject to review.
