The Television Academy has released a set of rule changes for the 78th Emmy Awards in 2026. The new rules introduce the first formal guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in show production and make important updates to several key categories. The changes are designed to modernize the awards to better reflect how television and streaming content are made today.
One of the most talked-about updates is a new AI statement. The Academy now reserves the right to ask show producers about their use of AI tools in any project submitted for an Emmy. The organization stated that “the core of our recognition remains centered on human storytelling, regardless of the tools used to bring it to life”. This move comes as AI use becomes more common in the entertainment industry.
The name of the Outstanding Television Movie category has also been officially changed. It will now be known simply as Outstanding Movie. The Academy says this change “more accurately reflect[s] the evolving landscape of cinematic content created for broadcast or streaming”. This addresses years of debate about what qualifies as a TV movie, especially as major streaming services release high-budget films directly online.
New Emmy AI Guidelines for Submissions
For the first time, the Emmy Awards rulebook includes a section on artificial intelligence. The Television Academy is taking an initial step toward transparency by adding the right to ask questions about AI use.
The exact statement added to the official Rules & Procedures is: “The Television Academy reserves the right to inquire about the use of AI in submissions. The core of our recognition remains centered on human storytelling, regardless of the tools used to bring it to life”.
This means shows that use AI technology, such as for generating voices, images, or scripts, can still be submitted for Emmy consideration. However, producers may need to disclose how and where AI was used in the creative process. The rule does not currently ban AI or set specific limits on its use, nor does it detail consequences for its use. Instead, it establishes the Academy’s authority to ask for information. This approach is seen as a starting point for what will likely become more detailed policies in future years as the technology evolves.
Major Category Updates and Name Changes
Alongside the AI guidelines, the Television Academy announced several updates to award categories and eligibility rules. These changes affect movies, short-form series, sound, music, and the professionals who can be nominated.
A major change is the renaming of the Outstanding Television Movie category to Outstanding Movie. The Academy decided to drop the word “television” to better match today’s content landscape, where many films are made specifically for streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock without ever airing on traditional TV. This clears up confusion about where big streaming films, which can have theater-level budgets and stars, should compete for awards.
“I think once upon a time, there may have been such a thing as a ‘made-for-TV movie’ that had a certain characteristic, a certain look and feel,” said director Michael Morris, whose film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was nominated in the category last year. He noted the old definition had become a point of contention for awards strategists.
Here is a summary of other key category changes for the 2026 Emmy Awards:
- Short Form Categories: The Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series and Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series categories will now be “tracked.” This means each will have two sub-genres: original series, and series based on or derived from existing shows. Nominations will be proportional to the number of submissions in each sub-genre.
- Sound Mixing Split: The Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program category has been divided into two separate categories: one for Nonfiction Programs and one for Reality Programs.
- Music Expansions: The Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary/Nonfiction or Reality Program category now allows reality shows with an original dramatic score to be eligible. The Outstanding Main Title Theme Music category has been expanded to include “main-on-end” title themes—the music that plays after the final act, just before the end credits.
Expanded Eligibility for Crew and Casting Professionals
In a significant update for behind-the-scenes workers, the Television Academy has expanded the list of professional titles eligible to receive an Emmy nomination. This recognizes the important creative contributions of more specialized crew members.
In the Casting peer group, Associate Casting Director has been added as an eligible title for scripted series categories, including comedy, drama, and limited series. To qualify, the associate must have had a “meaningful, creative impact” on the project. In the Costumes peer group, the title Key Costumer is now eligible for nomination.
For Lighting, Camera & Technical Arts, a Director of Photography (DP) can now be eligible in the Technical Direction and Camerawork categories under specific conditions. These conditions include that the DP is not eligible in another category and has approval from the show’s Technical Director or Director.
Additionally, a Line Producer is now an eligible title in all reality programming categories. For reality casting, the Academy has streamlined a list of nine eligible titles, including Casting By, Supervising Casting Director, and Casting Producer, to simplify submissions.
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Introduction of the New Legacy Award
Previously announced, the Legacy Award is a new honor that will be part of the 2026 Emmys. It is the first new award category created by the Television Academy since 2007.
This award is designed to recognize a television program that has made a “profound and lasting impact on audiences and sustained its relevance to society, culture and the industry”. It functions as a successor to the former Governors Award, which was given to programs like Masterpiece Theatre, American Idol, and Star Trek. Shows that have already won a Governors Award are not eligible for the Legacy Award.
To be considered, a show must have aired a minimum of 60 episodes across at least five seasons. Preference will be given to shows celebrating a significant anniversary in the award year. The award will be presented to the show’s creator(s) and up to four lead executive producers or showrunners who helped ensure its long-term success.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026. The Creative Arts Emmys will be held on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, 2026. The full 2026 Emmy Rules & Procedures book with all these updates will be officially posted the week of January 19, 2026.
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