The Television Academy is introducing a new accolade called the Legacy Award at the upcoming 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, marking the first time since 2007 that it has created a new category. The award is designed to honor television programs that have had a "profound and lasting impact" on audiences and continue to hold cultural and industry relevance.

The idea for the Legacy Award originated from Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Television Studios at NBC Entertainment and Peacock Scripted, who proposed recognizing shows with enduring influence. Maury McIntyre, the Television Academy's president and chief executive, acknowledged that the concept had been long overdue. “Why now? Because we were idiots and didn’t think about it until now,” McIntyre said, reflecting on the delay in creating an award to celebrate long-lasting television programming.

Following its inception, the award underwent a formal approval process that involved the Television Academy’s executive committee, awards committee, and board of governors. Because the Legacy Award is considered an official Emmy, it required full governance approval. The award’s name has remained consistent since its creation, with McIntyre emphasizing the need for a form of recognition akin to a Hall of Fame for enduring television shows, complementing the existing professional Hall of Fame.

Unlike typical Emmy awards given to individuals, the Legacy Award is presented to a show but bestowed upon key creative contributors responsible for its longevity. Typically, this includes up to four or five executive producers, though directors or other vital contributors may also be considered in future presentations. The Academy aims to acknowledge the core creative team behind the program’s lasting success.

Eligibility for the award requires a show to have produced at least 60 episodes across a minimum of five seasons, a criterion that excludes acclaimed but shorter-lived series such as “Ted Lasso” or “Succession.” McIntyre noted that the Academy may revisit these criteria in the future to accommodate influential shows with shorter runs.

Nominations for the Legacy Award can come from the Television Academy’s board of governors, special committees, or from members of the public through letter submissions. McIntyre encouraged fans and audiences to participate, stating the importance of hearing from those who have been impacted by these shows.

The timing and venue for presenting the Legacy Award remain undecided. The Academy is considering whether it will be featured alongside other honors such as the Governors Award or the Bob Hope Award, or potentially presented during the Creative Arts Emmys or the Academy’s Televerse festival in August. The decision will be influenced by the preferences of the recipient’s network and how best to showcase the award.