In a significant development within the television industry, a substantial portion of the Los Angeles-based Television Academy members is on the verge of seamlessly becoming members of the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. This transition is set to occur under a remarkable partnership between the two formerly adversarial yet now amicable TV academies. The qualifications for membership in the peer groups present in both organizations - Children’s Animation, Children’s Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary - will be harmonized and identical. As a result, members will effortlessly be enrolled in both entities, and the existing members of the TV Academy’s Children’s, Daytime, Documentary, and Science & Technology peer groups will retain their memberships while automatically gaining membership in NATAS as well.

Shared Membership and NATAS' Governance Makeover

This shared membership forms an integral part of NATAS' extensive governance transformation. As NATAS prepares to recruit and add national members for the first time, it is moving forward with a plan to establish "peer groups" similar to those organized by the Los Angeles-based Television Academy. NATAS will launch seven national peer groups centered around the Emmy competitions it administers: Children’s Animation, Children’s Live Action, Daytime, Documentary, News, Sports, and Technology & Engineering. Pre-registration for charter members of these peer groups will commence this month, with the official launch of NATAS' national membership scheduled for 2025. This new move ensures that representatives from various peer groups will finally have a voice on the NATAS board, as previously it was governed by a "Board of Trustees" elected by its 19 regional directors. 1: The shared goal of both academies is to uphold the Emmy as the industry's "gold standard." While their respective academies recognize different genres of work, bringing their memberships together in this manner will enable a better recognition of the diverse range of television professionals working today. It will also open doors for emerging artists who aspire to join their peers and predecessors in the art of compelling storytelling. 2: This cooperation between the two TV academies is a testament to their commitment to the growth and evolution of the television industry. By merging their memberships and establishing common peer groups, they are creating a more unified and inclusive community that can collectively celebrate and promote excellence in television.

Recent Examples of Cooperation

The move towards cooperation between the two academies is the latest in a series of collaborative efforts. In recent years, they have worked diligently to realign awards and ensure they better fit the different Emmy ceremonies. For instance, the L.A. TV Academy transferred all its children’s categories from the Primetime Emmys to NATAS, which then combined them with the kids categories in the Daytime competition to form the Children’s & Family Emmys. On the other hand, NATAS sent its Daytime Emmy game show categories to Los Angeles, where gamers are now an integral part of the Primetime ceremony, regardless of the time slot. 1: These collaborative initiatives have not only streamlined the Emmy award process but have also enhanced the visibility and recognition of different genres of television programming. By sharing and combining categories, they are able to showcase a more comprehensive range of talent and creativity. 2: The cooperation between the two academies has also set a positive example for the industry as a whole. It shows that even long-standing rivals can come together for the greater good of the field and work towards a common goal of promoting excellence in television.

Benefits for Television Academy Members

The creation of dual/national membership has been enthusiastically embraced by the Television Academy's Board of Governors. This shift enhances the membership experience for Television Academy members whose work is recognized in the NATAS-administered Daytime Emmys and Children’s and Family Emmys. It unifies members from both academies who are dedicated to advancing excellence in documentary programming and promoting the technical and scientific evolution of the field. 1: Television Academy members now have the opportunity to expand their network and connect with professionals from across the country. This increased connectivity can lead to new collaborations and opportunities for growth. 2: By being part of both academies, members gain access to a wider range of resources and events. They can participate in national-level discussions and initiatives that contribute to the overall development of the television industry.