The Television Academy has announced a new Emmy category, the Legacy Award, which will honour TV shows that have made a “profound and lasting impact” on audiences and the industry. This is the first major new Emmy in nearly 20 years.
To be eligible, programs must have at least 60 episodes across five or more seasons and demonstrate ongoing relevance, influence, or inspiration in television, society, or culture. Franchise shows will be considered as a whole and may only receive the award once.
Both past and present shows are eligible. This includes classic programs such as All in the Family (1971–1979) and Will & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020), as well as long-running series like Grey’s Anatomy (2005–present) and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–present). Shows that are nearing the end of their run, such as The Late Show (1993–2026), are also eligible.
Nominations for the Legacy Award can come from the TV Academy’s board of governors, the special awards committee, industry members, or even the public via letters to the Academy. Winners will be chosen annually by the Special Awards Committee.
The award will take the form of an engraved Emmy statuette and may be presented during the Primetime Emmys telecast, the Creative Arts Emmys, the TV Academy’s Televerse festival, or the Hall of Fame ceremony, depending on the year.
The Legacy Award aims to recognise programs that have shaped television history and continue to influence audiences and culture long after their first broadcast.
