The Television Academy is expanding the Emmy Awards with a brand-new honor designed to spotlight television programs that have stood the test of time. Announced by the TV Academy on Thursday through an official statement, the newly created Legacy Award marks the first major Emmy category addition in nearly two decades. The award is intended to recognize shows that have made what the Academy described as a profound and lasting impact on audiences while continuing to matter to society, culture, and the television industry.
What the New Emmy Legacy Award Means for Television History
According to the Television Academy, the Legacy Award will be presented to scripted or unscripted television programs that meet strict eligibility standards. To qualify, a show must have produced at least 60 episodes across a minimum of five seasons. In addition, the program must demonstrate sustained relevance or influence, whether through shaping a genre, reaching new generations of viewers, or contributing meaningfully to cultural conversations. The Academy clarified that franchise properties will be evaluated as a single body of work rather than individual installments.
The eligibility guidelines allow for a wide range of programs, including series that have already concluded, those still airing, and shows approaching their final seasons. The Academy cited examples such as All in the Family and Will & Grace as past programs that would meet the criteria due to their long runs and cultural significance. Ongoing series like Grey’s Anatomy and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as well as long-running late-night formats like The Late Show, are also eligible under the established rules. Each qualifying program may receive the Legacy Award only once.
How Legacy Award Nominations and Presentations Will Work
The Television Academy outlined a multi-path nomination process for the new Emmy Legacy Award. Programs may be put forward by members of the Academy’s board of governors, its special awards committee, or through formal letters submitted by industry professionals and members of the general public. Final selections will be made annually by the committee currently known as the Governors Award Committee, which the Academy confirmed is being renamed the Special Awards Committee.
Winners will receive an engraved Emmy statuette, consistent with the prestige of other major honors. The Academy stated that the presentation format will vary year to year, with the award potentially being handed out during the Primetime Emmys broadcast, the Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies, the TV Academy’s Televerse festival, or its Hall of Fame event. This flexibility reflects the Academy’s goal of giving enduring television achievements a spotlight that matches their historical and cultural importance.