Emmys Snub International TV Shows
· diy
The Emmys’ Invisible Audience: Why International TV Deserves a Seat at the Table
The Emmys, Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony, has long been criticized for its narrow focus on American television. This year’s snub of HBO Max’s “Heated Rivalry” is just the latest example of how the Academy’s strict eligibility rules exclude great international TV shows from recognition.
One problem with these rules is that they require international productions to have some level of American involvement before being eligible for consideration. As a result, popular shows like Korea’s “Squid Game” and Italy’s “Mussolini: Son of the Century” are relegated to the International Emmy Awards, which may be prestigious in its own right but lacks the visibility of the Primetime Emmys.
This outdated segmentation perpetuates a narrow definition of what constitutes quality television. By limiting eligible shows to American productions, the Academy essentially says that only domestic content is worthy of recognition. This stifles innovation and creativity while ignoring the fact that global audiences crave more diverse storytelling.
The omission of British drama “The Other Bennet Sister” from this year’s Emmys is a missed opportunity to showcase exceptional talent from around the world. The show broke ratings records in the UK and drove unprecedented subscriber growth when it launched on BritBox in the US, according to Robert Schildhouse, the BBC’s highest-ranking American executive in the US.
The Academy’s decision to explore merging with the National Academy, which oversees the International Emmy Awards, offers hope for change. This move would bring the two ceremonies together under one umbrella and eliminate the distinction between international and American productions. However, it is up to studios like Netflix and streaming services to fight for more inclusive eligibility rules.
As Bong Joon Ho noted at the 2020 Golden Globes, “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” The same applies to television. By embracing a global perspective, the Emmys can attract a wider range of talented creators and provide a platform for underrepresented voices and stories.
The Academy should rethink its eligibility rules as it continues exploratory talks with the National Academy. It’s time to recognize that great television knows no borders – and that the world is waiting to be seen on America’s biggest night.
Reader Views
- DHDale H. · weekend handyperson
It's about time someone pointed out that the Emmys' snub of international shows isn't just a problem for global TV makers – it's also bad business sense. If you're trying to reach a worldwide audience with your streaming service or network, ignoring the best content from other countries is like shooting yourself in the foot. By merging with the International Emmy Awards, the Academy could finally acknowledge that great storytelling knows no borders and attract a bigger, more diverse pool of viewers. But don't count on it happening overnight – there's bound to be some behind-the-scenes politics at play.
- BWBo W. · carpenter
The Emmys needs to stop playing gatekeeper to international TV shows. Their narrow focus on American productions is outdated and stifling innovation in the industry. But here's the thing: merging with the National Academy might not be a silver bullet. With both ceremonies under one umbrella, you'll still have a struggle for visibility and respectability between domestic and foreign content. Can they really reconcile these competing interests and give international shows the recognition they deserve? I'm skeptical until I see concrete changes in eligibility rules and judging criteria.
- TWThe Workshop Desk · editorial
The Academy's narrow focus on American television is a symptom of a broader issue: the industry's inability to adapt to changing audience habits and preferences. While the proposed merger with the National Academy may be a step in the right direction, it's crucial that the merged entity prioritizes transparency and accountability in its eligibility criteria. Without clear guidelines for what constitutes international involvement, shows like "Squid Game" will continue to get stuck between two awards ceremonies, perpetuating the very problem of exclusion the industry is trying to solve.