Thoughts on the 76th Emmy Nominations and the State of Our Industry

As the clock inched toward 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, our industry was buzzing with anticipation.
 
As a lifelong lover of television, I was thrilled to be at the iconic El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard that morning to help announce the nominations for the 76th Emmy Awards. It was a total pleasure to be joined for the event by two exceptional, Emmy-winning performers, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tony Hale. All of us at the Academy thank them for bringing so much enthusiasm and energy to the occasion.
 
When the ceremony ended, it was fitting that it had taken place at a historic venue, because the nominations include record-setting milestones, as well as notable breakthroughs in representation in several categories. Across the categories, the work recognized is truly extraordinary, and the sense of energy and pride throughout the television industry in the aftermath of the nominations has been electrifying.
 
A year ago, the excitement of revealing the Emmy noms was tempered by unease, as the WGA strike in opposition to the AMPTP was in its third month, and the SAG-AFTRA strike was imminent. As we all know, the work stoppages continued into the fall, resulting in lengthy production shutdowns and significant disruption throughout our industry and the wider economy, from which we are
till recovering. And, of course, the Academy made the decision to postpone the 75th Emmy Awards until the following January.
 
It was therefore a relief, on the day of this year’s nominations ceremony, to know that IATSE — which represents tens of thousands of behind-the-scenes entertainment workers in Locals throughout the United States — had reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP in late June. That agreement was ratified the day after the nominations were announced, officially averting another strike.
 
While this was welcome news, there’s no doubt that our industry is still facing challenges related to contraction, consolidation and structural and economic shifts. The Academy is supporting our members by delivering meaningful benefits; offering information on support resources on an array of topics; and providing regular professional development and networking opportunities, including peer group events and mixers. For additional information, I encourage you to visit the Member Resources and Events sections of the Academy website and stay in touch with us directly as well.
 
As we move forward together, I want to congratulate this year’s nominees and remind all voting members to be sure to complete your ballots by the August 26 deadline. And, of course, mark your calendars for the 76th Emmys telecast, airing live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 15, and streaming the next day on Hulu.