On November 15, 1955, a luncheon meeting was arranged in New York City by Ed Sullivan. This meeting was attended by fifty leaders in the television industry – broadcast executives, program producers, performing artists, directors, writers, craftsmen and other broadcasters.

Concerned about the future of television, which had only recently captured the attention and loyalty of the American public, these industry professionals began working to insure that only the highest standards of excellence would prevail as television developed. With outstanding leaders, such as Walter Cronkite, Fred Allen, Charles Collingwood, Edward R. Murrow, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, Mark Goodson and Basil Rathbone, the group of interested television professionals doubled within two weeks to become “the Committee of 100”. They were committed to creating a National Television Academy.

By June 1957, a merger of the 3,000 members in New York and Hollywood became The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Ed Sullivan was elected the first National President.

Since those heady, early days, there has been extraordinary growth in number of members, number of Chapters and in the depth and breadth of programs and services. Membership has multiplied to more than 13,000, making the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences the single largest television industry professional organization in the world.

The driving force behind this organization is the same that Ed Sullivan articulated at its beginning, “In the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences we have a mighty arsenal of energy and know-how all aimed at bringing television and everyone in it nearer to the realization of its great potential. Not only the television industry, but the American people also are the beneficiaries.”

The National Television Academy is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Award.

The National Television Academy is composed of a national office headquartered in New York City and twenty Chapters in cities across America. The Chapters elect members to the Board of Trustees, the Academy's policy making body.