The Television Academy has announced some major rule changes for the 2024 Primetime Emmys. These changes will impact the short form and guest categories, reflecting the evolving landscape of the industry. Let’s take a closer look at what these changes mean.
Short Form Categories Get Reorganized
As short form programming becomes increasingly condensed, so do the number of Emmy categories for it. The TV Academy has decided to eliminate the short form animated program category, instead merging it with the animated program category. This move creates two tracks: one for short form programs lasting between 2 and 20 minutes, and one for all other programming over 20 minutes. The short form animated program Emmy, which was first awarded in 2008, will no longer be a standalone category.
Additionally, the actor and actress categories for short form comedy or drama series have been combined into a single category: outstanding performer in a short form comedy or drama series. This change recognizes the blurred lines between gender in these performances. The actor and actress in a short form comedy or drama series Emmys were first awarded in 2016.
Guest Categories Undergo Clarification
In the guest performer category field, the TV Academy is now making it clear that cameos will not be eligible for submission. To ensure that a guest performer’s role is significant to the episode being submitted, the new rule states that the performer must have a minimum stand-alone and contiguous-screen time of 5% of the total running time of the episode. This change aims to maintain the integrity of the category and showcase substantial guest performances.
Guest performers, by definition, appear in less than 50% of all eligible series episodes. The TV Academy believes this rule tweak will highlight the importance of their contributions to the episodes in which they appear.
Other Rule Changes
In addition to the changes mentioned above, there are a few more updates worth noting:
- The title “Line Producer” has been added as an Emmy-eligible credit on documentary/nonfiction specials, documentary/nonfiction series, and hosted nonfiction programs.
- The title “Head of Workroom” (also known as Cutter/Fitter) has been added as an Emmy-eligible title for costume designers and their teams. The eligibility will be determined by the designer, and their contribution to the project will be weighed accordingly.
- The outstanding hairstyling and makeup categories for variety, nonfiction, or reality programs have transitioned from being juried awards to a two-step process. Panels will prescreen submissions for nominations, and the final round will be determined by the full peer group vote.
These rule changes aim to accommodate the evolving nature of the industry and ensure that the Emmy Awards continue to honor outstanding talent in television.
Submissions for the 76th Emmy Awards will open on Thursday, Feb. 29. For more information about the Emmy Awards calendar and eligibility period, visit the official Emmys website.
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