The Television Academy revealed some of its upcoming Emmy rule changes on Friday — including a new name for the TV movie category, which will now be known as “outstanding movie.” Also, the org revealed AI guidelines, in which it “reserves the right to inquire about the use of AI in submissions. The core of our recognition remains centered on human storytelling, regardless of the tools used to bring it to life.”
Also, the Academy included changes to the short form, sound mixing and music categories and also expanded eligibility in the casting, costume and lighting, camera & technical arts categories.
Meanwhile, among the issues that haven’t yet been addressed by the Academy: The conundrum over the shrinking outstanding talk and outstanding scripted variety series fields.
The org said it will post its 2026 Rules & Procedures book the week of Jan. 19. Here are some of the rule changes announced Friday for the 78th Emmys:
Television Movie Category: “The name of the Outstanding Television Movie category has been changed to Outstanding Movie to more accurately reflect the evolving landscape of cinematic content created for broadcast or streaming.”
The change comes after much debate in recent years over the definition of “TV movie,” particularly as streamers submit films that could have just as easily been put into theaters. And some, in fact, have: 2025’s “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” was distributed in theaters in much of the world, but was released on Peacock in the U.S., allowing it to be nominated last year for TV movie.
“I think once upon a time, there may have been such a thing as a ‘made-for-TV movie’ that had a certain characteristic, a certain look and feel, or a certain subject matter or tone,” that film’s director, Michael Morris, told Variety last year when we wrote about the debate over the definition of a “TV movie.” It had become a bone of contention for awards execs and consultants, who had been pushing the TV Academy to rename the category. Now they get their wish.
Short Form Program Categories: “Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series and Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series will now be tracked categories. Each category will recognize two genres: original series and series based on/derived from other programming. The number of nominees will be proportional to the number of submissions in each genre with at least one nomination for each genre.”
Sound Mixing Category Split: “Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program has been split into two categories: Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Reality Program.”
Music: “Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary/Nonfiction or Reality Program (Original Dramatic Score): Will now allow eligibility for reality programs that contain an original dramatic score. Outstanding Main Title Theme Music: Expanded eligibility to include main-on-end themes. Both a Main Title Theme (appearing at the beginning of the program) and a Main-on-End Title Theme (appearing after the final act, before the end credits/crawl) are eligible.”
Emmy Eligible Titles: “The following peer groups have expanded professional titles for eligibility:
Casting: “Associate Casting Director has been added as an eligible title for scripted series categories (comedy, drama, and limited or anthology series). Associate Casting Director entrants must have had meaningful, creative impact. All eligibility is subject to final and definitive review by the Casting Directors Peer Group Executive Committee to determine principal creative contributions.”
Costumes: “Key Costumer has been added as an eligible title.”
Lighting, Camera & Technical Arts: “Director of Photography has been added as an eligible title in the Technical Direction and Camerawork categories, if the following conditions are met: They are not eligible in any other category of the competition. They are not submitting a petition to be included in the Lighting Direction/Lighting Design categories. The Technical Director has been notified and approves their inclusion. Note: If there is no eligible Technical Director; the Director will be responsible for approving the DP.”
Reality Programming: “Line Producer has been added as an eligible title in all reality programming categories.”
As for the AI statement, here’s what it reads in full: “The Television Academy reserves the right to inquire about the use of AI in submissions. The core of our recognition remains centered on human storytelling, regardless of the tools used to bring it to life.”
Previously announced 2026 rules changes include:
Legacy Award: “The Television Academy announced the creation of the Legacy Award, recognizing a television program that has made a profound and lasting impact on audiences and sustained its relevance to society, culture and the industry.”
Casting: “To streamline the number of reality casting titles that are eligible for Emmy consideration, the following titles will be eligible starting with the 2026 Emmy competition:
Casting By
Executive in Charge of Casting
Supervising Casting Director
Supervising Casting Producer
Senior Casting Director
Casting Director
Senior Casting Producer
Casting Producer
Celebrity Casting By”
Music – “Main Title Theme: A Main Title Theme must appear in 50% or more of eligible episodes submitted for the 2026 Emmy competition. The Main Title Theme has been further defined as a musical fingerprint and calling card that is identifiable and unique to a show, thereby drawing an audience in by setting the show’s tone and what is to come.”
The complete list of new rules for the 78th Emmys is here.
