The Television Academy today announced the creation of the Legacy Award to celebrate television programs that have made a “profound and lasting impact” on audiences and remain relevant to society, culture and the industry.
Candidates will be selected annually by the Governors Award committee (to be renamed the Special Awards Committee) and presented to the Board of Governors for a vote. Entries may be made by members of the Board of Governors, the Special Awards Committee or individuals who may suggest recipients in a letter to the Television Academy.
“The Legacy Award celebrates groundbreaking programming — programs that have stood the test of time delivering stories that continue to engage audiences and featuring iconic and timeless characters with multigenerational appeal,” said Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego. “The award allows the Academy to honor more of television’s rich history and acknowledge the storytellers whose work has resonated with viewers and continues to entertain legions of fans around the globe.”
To qualify for the Legacy Award, programs must be comprised of a minimum of 60 episodes aired across a minimum of five seasons, must be of continued or or sustained relevance, influence or inspiration to a genre of televisio to an existing or new audience and to society and culture. Franchise properties must be considered as a whole and awarded as such and the Award may only be bestowed on a program once.
The Academy last introduced an award of this significance with its Television Academy Honors Award in 2007, recognizing programming that drives positive social change.
As with the Governors Award, recipients of the Legacy Award will receive engraved Emmy statuettes.
The award may be presented during the Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies, the Emmy telecast, Televerse or the Hall of Fame ceremony.
