Historically, award shows, including the Emmys, have been influenced by exclusive boards of leadership that determine what makes media valuable. Instead of serving audiences, award shows have created an elitist environment where artistic merit is something that can be measured. The method in which nominations and awards are given is unclear, and often does not align with what viewers deem as worthy of a category win. We recognize the role award shows play in popular culture, and think that instead of replacing them altogether, it would be more beneficial to work toward long-term solutions that will make space for all types of programs and the people who make them possible.
When it comes to the Emmys, voters are given a secure, online platform to view nominated television shows. While the process of verifying that voters have watched the content has not been explicitly published, the Emmys claim to verify that voters have watched the shows before casting their vote. Still, the faith that voters actually watch everything they are supposed to is severely lacking. With some Oscar-voting members openly admitting to abusing loopholes to avoid watching content, it’s tough for both viewers and those involved in making media to trust that rules are being enforced.
The Oscars recently addressed this issue, with rule changes that should hopefully give additional credit to the voting process. Beginning with the 2026 Oscars ceremony, Academy members will now be required to fully watch each nominated film before casting their vote. The fact that this rule is only now being implemented shows the Academy has recognized a major flaw in their voting system, but this should have been a requirement from the start. Other rule changes involve the use of artificial intelligence and looser foreign-film guidelines that allow for more submissions, offering a wider range to vote from and giving more exposure to diverse films and creators.
We think the process of selecting nominees for all award shows is severely lacking in diversity, as categories often hold biases that prevent creatives from seizing opportunities and taking risks. As of 2020, only 14% of the Emmys’ voting board identified as people of color, with additional underrepresentation in other facets, such as perspectives from disabled individuals. This lack of representation in the academy’s voting body could be tied to a lack of representation in the winning categories.
Furthermore, patterns of racial discrimination, such as the prioritization of Adele’s work as compared to Beyoncé’s during the 2017 Grammys, are a notable trend. These biases can stifle artistic development and prevent innovations in entertainment. Those who do not conform to these standards are often overlooked by judging boards, and the work they produce is undervalued.
One such guideline that should be reconsidered is that of gendered categories. Some nonbinary performers, such as Bella Ramsey, have stated they see the need for both male and female categories, as this offers visibility for consistent female recognition. However, Ramsey hopes that one day a better solution can be offered. Other performers, such as Justin David Sullivan, have opted out of the nomination altogether, preferring to remain unnominated rather than be forced into a category that does not fit their identity. This highlights the long-overdue need for awards shows to come up with a more inclusive yet still equitable categorization.
Alongside exclusive categorization, the decline of subscriptions and live-broadcast series have contributed to certain Emmy categories becoming increasingly obsolete. In particular, formats that have been extremely popular in the past, such as late-night talk shows, are massively decreasing in viewership. “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” recently announced its cancellation for “purely financial” reasons. Despite this, it was nominated for an Emmy under the “Best Talk Series” category among only two other nominations for the award. This emphasizes the Emmys’ reluctance to give up on a dying form of media.
We understand the desire to hold onto formerly treasured media, but reevaluating sets of established guidelines could expand the limits of exclusionary criteria and ensure a fairer voting process. As we move into a new era of streaming and instant access to media at our fingertips, awards shows need to modernize by phasing out unpopular categories and instead focus on platforming up-and-coming categories tied to the digital age if they don’t want to be left behind. We believe award show categories and the process of selecting nominees also require development in today’s entertainment landscape.
Despite these concerns, award shows still hold a significant position in popular culture and help dictate media trends and consumers’ tastes. As such, when considering this year’s Emmy Awards, we think it’s important not to place award-winning shows in high regard, and instead question whether these prestigious academies are truly as reputable and equitable as they want us to believe.
