FAQ: NEWS AND DOCUMENTARY EMMY AWARDS

News & Documentary Emmy Awards
Frequently Asked Questions

01. What are the main eligibility requirements for programs broadcast over-the-air, cable or satellite?

02. What are the main eligibility requirements for Broadband submissions: internet streams, podcasts and cellphone streams/downloads?

03. My webcast/podcast etc. is available to subscribers only. Is it eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards?

04. How much does it cost to enter?

05. Why are there three entry deadlines?

06. Can I enter both the News & Documentary Emmy Awards and another Emmy competition such as Primetime or Sports?

07. How many times can I enter?

08. Can I enter in more than one category?

09. Can I enter a series?

10. How many segments or reports can I include on my submission DVD?

11. The running time of my program is longer than the maximum running time for the category I want to enter. How do I edit it?

12. What is internal editing?

13. Are HDTV broadcasts eligible for entry in the News & Doc Emmys?

14. In the category Music and Sound, can I submit just music, just sound mixing/design, or both?

15. Are reality shows eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards?

16. What are the requirements for entering the Business & Financial Reporting categories? Can I enter the News & Doc Emmys and the Business Emmys?

17. What are the entry requirements for the regional categories?

18. My film was released theatrically before airing on TV. Is it eligible for News & Doc?

19. Can a documentary film compete for both an Oscar and an Emmy?

20. Who is eligible for an Emmy statue?

21. What are production plaques and how do I order them?

22. What are nomination plaques and how do I order them?

23. What’s a duplicate (or commemorative) Emmy and how do I order one?

24. How do I become an Emmy judge?

News & Documentary Emmy Awards
Frequently Asked Questions

01. What are the main eligibility requirements for programs broadcast over-the-air, cable or satellite? Top
To be eligible to enter the News & Documentary Emmy Awards a program or report:
-must have aired nationally, defined as having been available to 50% of national television households

-must have originally aired in the proper eligibility year—calendar year 2006 for the 28th News & Doc Emmys

-must fit one of the entry categories listed in the Rules & Procedures

-must not be in violation of any other provisions listed in the Rules and Procedures

02. What are the main eligibility requirements for Broadband submissions: internet streams, podcasts and cellphone streams/downloads? Top
-To be eligible to enter the News & Documentary Emmy Awards a podcast, internet
stream or cellphone stream/download:

Must be original programming first made available for viewing or downloading
on the internet, cell phones or portable media players. Repurposed material
originally produced for traditional media is not eligible. If some repurposed
material is included in the entry, the producer must provide evidence that the
broadband product has been given some unique and creative treatment that
results in an original program.

Must have been originally made available for downloading or streaming between
January 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007.

Must be intended for the US Market: Entries can be produced by anyone,
anywhere in the world, but they must be intended for distribution in the United
States market.

Must be programming that otherwise fits in one of the existing News & Doc
categories (i.e. no reality shows, docudramas etc.)

Must not be in violation of any other provisions listed in the Rules and Procedures

03. My webcast/podcast etc. is available to subscribers only. Is it eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards? Top
Yes. The fact that a webcast/podcast etc. is available to subscribers only does not disqualify it from entry in the broadband categories. The same principle applies as applies to premium cable channels like HBO or Showtime in the categories for over-the-air, cable and satellite programming. As long as the viewer has the option to view the program by subscribing to the cable channel that offers it, the program is considered to be “available” to the viewer. The same rule applies to online subscription services like, for example, CNN Pipeline.

04. How much does it cost to enter? Top
The cost of entry varies according to the following criteria:
1. Whether or not your submission arrives by the early deadline
2. Whether you enter in one of the Program categories (1-22) or one of the craft categories (23-29).
There is a flat fee for program entries--$300 for entries postmarked by 2/28, $400 for entries postmarked between 2/29 – March 26 (April 30 for broadband submissions ONLY. Overt-the-air/cable/satellite submissions MUST arrive by 3/26). The cost of a craft entry varies according to the number of entrants, as well as whether or not it meets the early deadline. See Below for a breakdown of entry fees:

Entries postmarked by February 28, 2007
CATEGORIES 1-22 $300
INDIVIDUAL CRAFT
ACHIEVEMENT
(CATEGORIES 23-29)
ONE ENTRANT $125
2-3 ENTRANTS $200
4 OR MORE ENTRANTS $325

Entries postmarked between February 29 – March 26, 2007
(Note: final deadline for broadband entries ONLY is 4/30)
CATEGORIES 1-22 $400
INDIVIDUAL CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT
(CATEGORIES 23-29)
ONE ENTRANT $175
2-3 ENTRANTS $250
4 OR MORE ENTRANTS $400

For instance, under the early deadline, a single Writing entry (category 23) with only one writer costs $125. An early deadline writing entry with 2 or 3 writers costs $200, and an entry with 4 or more writers costs $325.

05. Why are there three entry deadlines? Top
The News & Documentary Emmy Awards has three entry deadlines:
An early deadline of February 28, 2006. Submissions received by this date pay a lower entry fee.

A final deadline of March 24 for over-the-air, cable and satellite broadcast submissions.

A final deadline of April 30 for broadband submissions ONLY (webcasts, podcasts, cell phone downloads etc.)

In order to encourage entrants to submit early, entries received by 2/28 receive a lower entry fee.

06. Can I enter both the News & Documentary Emmy Awards and another Emmy competition such as Primetime or Sports? Top
No. Entries in News and Documentary may not be entered in any other national Emmy Awards competition in the United States, such as Primetime or Sports. However, a local program that later receives national distribution may compete in both regional and national awards competitions.

07. How many times can I enter? Top
A particular program, story or report may be entered once in the Program categories (categories 1-16). In other words an NBC Nightly News report (or series of reports) on domestic spying by the NSA may be entered either in category 2/Continuing Coverage or category 4/Investigative Reporting, but not both. However, that same report may be simultaneously entered in the appropriate "Best Of" category (categories 17-19). In the Craft categories (23-29), a broadcast or report may be entered in as many categories as are appropriate.

08. Can I enter in more than one category? Top
Yes, but with the following qualifications:

1. A particular program or report may be entered only once in categories 1-16. In other words an NBC Nightly News report (or series of reports) on domestic spying by the NSA may be entered in either category 2/Continuing Coverage or category 4/Investigative Reporting, but not both.

2. However, that same report may be simultaneously entered in ONE of the "Best Of" categories (categories 17-19).

3. In the Craft categories (23-29), a broadcast may be entered in as many categories as are appropriate.

09. Can I enter a series? Top
A show like Nightline, or FRONTLINE, or the American Experience or NOW may not enter as a series. Such shows may enter individual reports or programs, but they may not enter for recognition of the entire series.

However, a documentary series like Ric Burns’s New York, or a series of reports on a single topic, like Nightline’s 5-part series on the Congo, may be entered as a series. Where an entry includes a series of broadcasts on a single topic, the entrant may choose to do one, but not both, of the following: 1) enter the series of broadcasts as a series 2) enter individual episodes as separate entries. If entering as a series the entrant may a) choose a single episode to represent the entire series or b) choose up to five excerpts from different episodes to represent the series.

10. How many segments, excerpts or reports can I include on my submission DVD? Top
In Program categories 1-22, submissions may include up to five as-aired excerpts of continuous programming. For example:

1. A nightly newscast (Anderson Cooper 360, World News Tonight etc.) may want to enter its ongoing coverage of, say, the debate over President Bush’s New Way Forward in Iraq. Numerous reports may have been aired over the course of the entry year, however, for the purpose of assembling a submission, the entrant must choose five excerpts of continuous coverage to represent the program’s coverage. So, for example, if a report by a correspondent on a given broadcast is followed by an interview with a politician or analyst on the same subject, that footage can also be included as part of one excerpt.

2. Some broadcasts run longer than the maximum running time allowed in a given category. Maximum running times vary from 15 minutes to one hour depending on the category. While the maximum running time in most long form categories is one hour, many documentaries may run 90 minutes or longer. Likewise live coverage of a breaking news event may run indefinitely, while the maximum running time in the live coverage category is 1 hour. A broadcast of a regularly scheduled newscast like PBS’s NewsHour may devote an hour to one topic but may need to edit its coverage down to 20 minutes to meet the maximum running time requirements for newscast categories.

In order to edit a broadcast that runs longer than the maximum allowable running time in a given category, do the following:
a) edit out commercials
b) consider what's left to be continuous programming
c) cut it down to the allowable time for the category
d) include no more than five excerpts of continuous programming on the
entry DVD (an excerpt is simply a portion of continuous programming).

3. Finally, some entries may be part of a series—for example, Bill Moyers’ 5-part documentary series on the Chinese Experience in America, or Nightline’s 5-part series on the Congo, or ABC News’s multi-part series on healthcare. Where an entry includes a series of broadcasts on a single topic, the entrant may choose to do one, but not both, of the following: 1) enter the series of broadcasts as a series 2) enter individual episodes as separate entries. If entering as a series the entrant may a) choose a single episode to represent the entire series or b) choose up to five excerpts from different episodes to represent the series.

There is no segment limit in Craft categories 23-29. Craft entries may include as many as-aired segments or excerpts as are necessary to demonstrate excellence, provided the running time of the submission does not exceed 15 minutes.

11. The running time of my program is longer than the maximum running time for the category I want to enter. How do I edit it? Top
In categories 1-22, submissions may include up to five as-aired excerpts of continuous programming. No entry tape may contain more than five excerpts (except in craft categories 23-29, where there is no segment/excerpt limit).

Some broadcasts run longer than the maximum running time allowed in a given category. Maximum running times vary from 15 minutes to one hour depending on the category. While the maximum running time in most long form categories is one hour, many documentaries may run 90 minutes or longer. Likewise live coverage of a breaking news event may run indefinitely, while the maximum running time in the live coverage category is 1 hour. A broadcast of a regularly scheduled newscast like PBS’s NewsHour may devote an hour to one topic but may need to edit its coverage down to 20 minutes to meet the maximum running time requirements for newscast categories.

12. What is internal editing? Top
By internal editing we mean re-editing the content of continuous programming in order to enhance the submission. The content included on a submission DVD should be what the viewer saw at the time it originally aired. Obviously some broadcasts must be edited down to meet the maximum running time limits for certain categories. In those cases, entrants may submit up to five as-aired excerpts of continuous programming (except in craft categories 23-29, where there is no segment/excerpt limit).

13. Are HDTV broadcasts eligible for entry in the News & Doc Emmys? Top
HDTV broadcasts are eligible to enter in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, provided they meet all other entry criteria. However, at this time such broadcasts are not screened for judges in HD.

14. In the category Music and Sound, can I submit just music, just sound mixing/design, or both? Top
Entries in the music and sound category can feature original music, sound mixing and sound design, or both. However, entrants should be very clear in their accompanying essay about exactly what elements of the craft the entry represents.

15. Are reality shows eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards? Top
Reality shows are NOT eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Reality programming may be entered in the Primetime Emmys. See the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences website at www.emmys.org or contact ATAS at 818-754-2800 for more information.

16. What are the requirements for entering in the Business & Financial Reporting categories, and can I enter a program or report in the News & Doc Emmys and the Business Emmys? Top

Currently there are 9 categories reserved for Business & Financial reporting. However, these categories have their own entry deadlines and eligibility year (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007), and winners are honored at a separate ceremony in December.

Entrants may choose to enter business-related stories in either the business categories (32-40) or the regular News & Doc categories (1-29), depending on where they think the program or report will be most competitive.

However, double entries are prohibited. Entrants may not enter the same program or report in both the regular News & Doc categories and the Business categories, with the following exceptions:

• An entry in the Business categories (categories 32 – 40) may also be entered in one of the "Best Of" categories (categories 17 - 19), provided it aired in the proper eligibility year.

• An entry in the Business categories (categories 32 – 40) may also be entered in any of the Craft categories (categories 23 - 29), provided it aired in the proper eligibility year.

Because of the rules against double entries, and because of the overlapping eligibility years, entrants should decide well in advance where their business-related stories will be most competitive. If a program or report will be more competitive in the Business Emmys, DO NOT enter it in News & Doc categories 1-16 (though you may enter in categories 17-19 and 23-97).

17. What are the entry requirements for the regional categories? Top
The regional categories are designed to give national recognition to exceptional regional news programming, and are reserved for spot/breaking news and investigative reports that have been awarded Emmys by regional NTA chapters in the most recent awards cycle. Because these programs have not aired nationally, winners receive a plaque rather than an Emmy statue. Entry materials for the regional categories will be distributed in mid-April (tba). For more information contact the Director of the News & Documentary Emmy Awards at (212) 484-9424.

18. My film was released theatrically before airing on TV. Is it eligible for News & Doc?Top
Documentary films that have had a limited theatrical release, or that were initially released through home entertainment sale or rental, are eligible to enter the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Entries will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not the initial theatrical release was limited enough to warrant entry in the News & Doc Emmys.

19. Can a documentary film compete for both an Oscar and an Emmy? Top
Yes. The fact that a film is eligible for an Oscar does not disqualify it from entering the News & Doc Emmys.

20. Who is eligible for an Emmy statue? Top
In categories 1-22, Reporters, Correspondents, Producers and Directors receive the Emmy Statue for winning programs. Senior Producers, Executive Producers, Anchors and Managing Editors may also be eligible, provided their role was more than supervisory, and that they made a substantial creative contribution to the content of the program or report. Directors are eligible when they have made a significant contribution to the creative and/or journalistic elements of the broadcast or report.

In the Individual Craft Achievement categories (categories 23-29), those who actually perform a specific discipline receive the Emmy Statue. Supervising or directing the work of others does not qualify for Individual Achievement Awards.

An entrant’s job title must correspond to the on-screen credits for the submission. In cases where there is a discrepancy between the broadcast credits and the job title listed on the entry form (for example a producer entering as a researcher). You must contact the Director of the News and Documentary Emmy Awards for approval. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. As indicated elsewhere, any falsification of credits will result in disqualification.

Here’s an easy way to find out if a certain job title is statue eligible:
a) Download the Word version of the 26th News & Doc Emmys Winners press release (at http://www.emmyonline.org/emmy/docu_27th_nominees.html)

b) Search the release for the job title you are curious about (on pc’s, hit Ctrl F, enter a keyword in the Find field—i.e. “field” for field producer—and search for the title).

c) If the title is in the release, it’s eligible. If not, contact David Winn at 212-484-9424 or dwinn@emmyonline.tv and inquire as to its eligibility.

21. What are production plaques and how do I order one? Top
Production plaques and production certificates provide a way to acknowledge the contribution of individuals who contributed to an Emmy-winning program or report but are not eligible for an Emmy statue—such as Associate Producers, Guest Bookers, Assistant Directors, Technical Directors, Narrators, Unit Managers, various craftspeople etc. Production Plaques and Certificates may be purchased by the Executive Producer or Producer of an Emmy-winning program for presentation to those individuals. Order forms will be sent to the main contact for all winning entries after winners are announced in September. For more information contact Mike Grigaliunas at 212-484-9421 or mgrigaliunas@emmyonline.tv

22. What are nomination plaques and how do I order one? Top
News & Documentary Emmy nominees automatically receive a certificate acknowledging their nomination. Past and current Emmy nominees may also purchase a handsome plaque to commemorate their nomination. Order forms will be sent to current nominees in July of 2007. Past nominees may contact Mike Grigaliunas at 212-484-9421 / mgrigaliunas@emmyonline.tv

23. What’s a duplicate (or commemorative) Emmy and how do I order one? Top
Duplicate Emmy statues (otherwise known as Commemorative Emmys) may be purchased by the network, studio, or production company connected with a winning entry. Duplicate Emmys are available for Emmy-winning programs only. You cannot purchase duplicate Emmys for winners in individual achievement categories such as Writing, Editing etc. For more information on how to purchase a duplicate Emmy contact Mike Grigaliunas at 212-484-9421 / mgrigaliunas@emmyonline.tv.

24. How do I become an Emmy judge? Top
News or documentary professionals with significant experience at the national level are invited to serve as judges. Judging is held over the months of May and June at the National Television Academy offices and at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. If you are interested in serving on a judging panel please contact David Winn at 212-484-9424 / dwinn@emmyonline.tv or Pierre Nguyen at 212-484-9450 / pnguyen@emmyonline.tv.

Who qualifies to be a judge?
• Producers, Senior & Executive Producers, Directors, Reporters and Correspondents
• Associate Producers with significant experience in national News &/or Documentary production
• Craftspeople: writers, researchers, cinematographers and electronic camerapersons, editors, graphic designers, audio technicians, lighting directors and scenic designers

Screenings will be held:

In New York City:
April 28-29 and June 23-24: Fordham University Lincoln Center
May 9 – June 6, 2007: at the National TV Academy offices, 111 West 57th St., suite
600

In Washington DC:
May 5 - 6 at George Washington University

In Los Angeles:
June 9-10 at the University of Southern California

00: Top