What are the main eligibility requirements for programs broadcast over-the-air, cable or satellite?
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 2009 for the
      31st 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   

Are webcasts and other kinds of broadband programming eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards?
Yes. Broadband programming such as webcasts are eligible for entry in the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Broadband programming may be entered in any News & Documentary Emmy category. The New Approaches to News & Documentary Programming categories (categories 24-26) may be especially appropriate for broadband programming, as they are judged online, and recognize new approaches to the practice, presentation and delivery of news & documentary programming. They are open to over-the-air, cable, and satellite broadcasters, as well as internet broadcasters, and are intended to recognize new ways of doing documentaries and broadcast journalism, from new approaches to traditional broadcasts, to the use of new media (associated websites, interactivity etc.), to other creative and innovative means of practicing these crafts and presenting programming to the viewer.

What kinds of broadcasts are eligible in the New Approaches categories?
The New Approaches categories recognize creative and innovative approaches to the practice, presentation and delivery of news & documentary programming. They are open to over-the-air, cable, satellite and internet broadcasters, and are intended to recognize new ways of doing documentaries and broadcast journalism, from new approaches to traditional broadcasts, to the use of new media (associated websites, interactivity etc.), to other creative and innovative means of practicing these crafts and presenting programming to the viewer. For journalists and documentarians working in non-traditional media, it recognizes that their craft often differs from traditional broadcast television in approach, presentation techniques, and delivery. For broadcasters working in so-called traditional media, it provides an opportunity to showcase creative and innovative approaches to these broadcasts.

There are 3 categories for New Approaches to News & Documentary Programming (see page 27 of rulebook for more information)

24. New Approaches to News & Documentary Programming: Current News Coverage
25. New Approaches to News & Documentary Programming: Documentaries
26. New Approaches to News & Documentary Programming: Arts, Lifestyle, and Culture

How much does it cost to enter?
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 (1-26) or Promo categories (36-37) or one of the craft categories (27-35).

Entry Fees for 2009 are as follows:

ENTRIES POSTMARKED BY MARCH 8, 2010
Categories 1-26 & 36-37 (Programs/Segments & Promos): $350
Categories 27-35 (Individual Craft Achievement): $200

ENTRIES POSTMARKED AFTER MARCH 8, 2010
Categories 1-26 & 36-37 (Programs/Segments & Promos): $400
Categories 27-35 (Individual Craft Achievement): $250

Why are there two entry deadlines?
The News & Documentary Emmy Awards has two entry deadlines:
-An early deadline of March 8, 2010. Submissions received by this date pay a lower entry fee.
-A final deadline of March 29. In order to encourage entrants to submit early, entries received by 3/08 receive a lower entry fee.

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

How many times can I enter?
A particular program, story or report may be entered once in the Program categories (categories 1-23). 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 21-23). In the Craft categories (27-35), a broadcast or report may be entered in as many categories as are appropriate.

Can I enter in more than one category?
Yes, but with the following qualifications:
1. A particular program or report may be entered only once in categories 1-23. 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 21-23).
3. In the Craft categories (27-35), a broadcast may be entered in as many categories as are appropriate.

Can I enter a series?
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 Ken Burns’s The War, 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.

How many segments, excerpts or reports can I include on my submission DVD?
In Program categories 1-23, 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, health insurance reform. 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 27-35. 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.

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?
In categories 1-23, submissions may include up to five as-aired excerpts of continuous programming. No entry DVD may contain more than five excerpts (except in craft categories 27-35, 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.

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).

What is internal editing?
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 27-35, where there is no segment/excerpt limit).

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

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

What are the requirements for entering in the Business & Financial Reporting categories?

In 2010 there are 3 new categories for business and economic reporting:
-Outstanding Business & Economic Reporting in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast
-Outstanding Business & Economic Reporting in a News Magazine
-Outstanding Business & Economic Reporting—Long Form

These categories replace the business-oriented categories that were formerly awarded at a separate ceremony in December. The eligibility period for the new business categories is calendar year 2009, and the Emmy Awards for these categories will be presented on September 27, 2010 at the News & Documentary Emmy ceremony in New York City. For more information see the Award Category Definitions section of the News & Documentary rulebook.

In short, the business Emmy competition has been folded into the traditional News & Documentary Emmy competition, and all awards will be presented at the News & Documentary Emmy ceremony in September. There will be no separate award ceremony for Business & Financial programming.

What are the entry requirements for the regional categories?
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.

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

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

Who is eligible for an Emmy statue?
In categories 1-23, Reporters, Correspondents and Producers receive the Emmy Statue for winning programs. Senior Producers, Executive Producers, Directors, Anchors and Managing Editors may also be eligible, provided their role was more than supervisory, and that they made a substantial contribution to the creative and/or journalistic elements of the broadcast or report.

In the Individual Craft Achievement categories (categories 27-35), 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.

In the Promotional Announcements categories, Producers, Directors, Writers and Craftspersons are eligible provided their role was more than supervisory and they made a substantial creative contribution to the content of the promotional announcement.

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 30th News & Doc Emmys Winners press release (the link is at the top of the page at http://www.emmyonline.tv/mediacenter/news_30th_nominations.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.

What are production plaques and how do I order one?
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 the Awards department at awards@emmyonline.tv

What are nomination plaques and how do I order one?
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 2009. Past nominees may contact the Awards department at awards@emmyonline.tv

What’s a duplicate (or commemorative) Emmy and how do I order one?
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 the Awards department at awards@emmyonline.tv

How do I become an Emmy judge?
News or documentary professionals with significant experience at the national level are invited to serve as judges. If you meet the qualifications below and would like to serve as a judge, complete and return the Emmy judging application available at http://www.emmyonline.tv/news/judge.html
Who qualifies to serve as a judge?
*Producers, Senior & Executive Producers, Directors, Reporters and Correspondents with significant experience in national News &/or Documentary reporting or production.
*Associate Producers with significant experience in national News &/or Documentary reporting or production.
*Craftspeople: writers, researchers, cinematographers and electronic camerapersons, editors, graphic designers, audio technicians, lighting directors and scenic designers

The 2010 News & Documentary Emmy judging dates are:
Round 1: May 11 – May 26
Round 2: June 14- June 30

Judging takes place at-home.  Entry DVD’s, ballots and judging instructions are mailed to judges who have two weeks to review the entries and return their ballots. Entries in the New Approaches categories are judged online.