Television Academy Creates ‘Legacy Award’ to Celebrate ‘Groundbreaking Programming’

The Television Academy has introduced its first significant new award in almost twenty years. The Legacy Award will be given to TV programs that have had a big and long-lasting effect on viewers and are still important to society, culture, and the TV industry.

The Special Awards committee, which used to be called the Governors Award committee, will choose people for the Legacy Award each year.

 Then, the Board of Governors will vote on the nominations, which can come from board members, the Special Awards committee, or anyone who sends a letter to the organization.

According to Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, the Legacy Award honors shows that are truly innovative and have lasted over time, telling stories that still captivate audiences and featuring characters that are classic and loved by people of all ages.

 "The award lets the Academy recognize more of television's rich past and appreciate the storytellers whose work has touched viewers and keeps entertaining fans all over the world," Abrego said.

Recipients of the Legacy Award will get engraved Emmy statues, just like those who receive the Governors Award.

 The Academy mentioned the award could be given during the Creative Arts Emmys, the main Emmy broadcast, the Televerse event, or the Hall of Fame ceremony.

To be considered, a show must have aired at least 60 episodes over five seasons.

 It also needs to have kept up with or influenced a TV genre, an existing or new audience, and/or society and culture. For shows with multiple series, they should be considered as one complete collection and get one award. Also, a show can't win the Legacy Award more than once.

The TV Academy last added a major award with the Television Academy Honors in 2007, which recognized shows that promote positive social change.

 Other special awards from the TV Academy include the Hall of Fame, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, and the Governors Award.