2019 Lone Star EMMY Nominations

Congratulations to all Lone Star EMMY Nominees!

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LONE STAR EMMY® CHAPTER

It has come to our attention that there are questions related to categories which did not receive nominations in this year’s Lone Star Regional Emmy Awards. First, thank you to the members who have asked about the judging process. Second, in order to foster clear communication and transparency among all members, we want to further explain that process.

• This is neither a precedent-setting nor a unique circumstance. Categories with zero nominees occur annually, and over a wide variety of disciplines. This year there were 17 professional categories, including both news and non-news (programs) English or Spanish entries from markets across the Lone Star chapter, which did not receive nominations.
• All entries in all categories are judged by at least 7 peers in a NATAS region outside of the Lone Star chapter. Peers are defined as people who have three or more years-experience working in the category they are judging. Judges acknowledge their experience via affidavits submitted to NATAS. Entries are judged on their own individual merits; they are not judged in competition with each other, which is why it is possible to have a statistical tie once all scores are added together.
• In order to receive a nomination, an entry must reach a threshold percentage of high scores. Entries with scores below that threshold do not receive a nomination. The Awards Committee determines the cut-off percentage in a “blind” meeting where the entrants and categories are undisclosed.
• In order to receive an Emmy award, entries much reach an even higher threshold.

In light of the questions regarding this year’s entries, we researched the categories without nominations. We determined that all of the judges were peers and their credentials are in order. We also verified that 10 different chapters judged different categories, meaning they weren’t all judged by the same chapter which might imply a bias toward, or dislike of, the Lone Star region. Further, the judges’ scores did not reflect a bias toward or against a particular company, group, or entrant.

We encourage questions about the judging process and work diligently to ensure its credibility and authenticity. If you ever have concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to submit a written letter to the NATAS Lone Star Chapter office, to be taken up by the Awards Committee. This is the best way to ensure clear, transparent communication.

Sincerely,
The NATAS Lone Star Chapter Awards Committee

PROMOTION:  All publicity, advertising or any written reference undertaken by nominees and award recipients to the Emmy^® Awards, must clearly state that the awarded achievement is for a Regional Emmy^® Award. The word “Regional” must appear in these instances. The recipient of a nomination or an Emmy^® Award may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that they have been honored only for one year after the recognition was bestowed. They may use a replica of the Emmy^® statuette in such advertising. Individuals who significantly contributed to the production or craft but were not honored with a statuette cannot specifically advertise they are an Emmy^® award recipient. They can only state they worked on the recognized program.

The statuette itself may not be reproduced or used in any other commercial manner without written permission from NATAS.  A ® registration mark and the appropriate copyright notice: © NATAS/Television Academy must accompany any portrayal of the Emmy^® statuette or moniker.

WHO RECEIVES THE AWARD?   Producers, craft persons and other eligible entrants as listed on the entry form receive the Emmy^® statuette, except where noted.  To be eligible, each entrant must have significant, creative involvement in the actual production. Pre and post production involvement, including proposal/grant writing, research, fundraising, producing partnerships, etc., though necessary and of major importance is not substantial enough to be considered. They must verify in writing their “hands on” involvement in order to be listed on the entry.

Once a Chapter’s award nominations are announced, there is a 10-calendar day only grace period in which names, under extreme, special circumstances, can be added to a nominated entry. These requests must be authorized in writing to the Chapter from one of the original entry nominees requesting this addition and detailing why this request should be granted. The Chapter’s Awards Committee will make the final decision and ruling.

Further, once the Emmy® awards ceremony has concluded, NO individual names can be added to an awarded entry as an additional recipient, under any circumstances.