Team Internet rejoices as Primetime Emmys embrace digital content

LOS ANGELES -- The Television Academy announced Wednesday it will expand its Primetime Emmy Awards short form category to include content from digital creators and distributors.

Mashable gathered some reactions from executives.

Kathleen Grace, Chief Creative Officer at New Form Digital

"I was excited to see the Television Academy finally see what amazing work is being done on emerging platforms," she told Mashable in an email interview. "There is a very talented community of filmmakers, actors, writers and directors working in short form content. The audience recognizes this and has gathered around these stars and their work. I am glad the academy has decided to recognize this talent and the growing influence of new platforms and studios."

"While we like to say awards don't matter or that we think our fans are the real award, this kind of external, institutionalized recognition always makes you proud and a little more ambitious. I think this will help people start to understand what makes a good short form series and what excellent talent looks like."

Keith Richman, President of Defy Media

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"We think it's great and we're already thinking about the programming that we’ll submit for consideration," he told Mashable in an email interview.

On why recognition is important:

"First, it is important to recognize the outstanding work that is being done by these enormously talent creators who happen to be distributing programming different than had been done in the past.

Second, it is also a nod to the ultimate end user – the audience. There [are] enormous audiences, rivaling traditional television, watching this programming and it is great the academy will be awarding stuff they love."

On what this means for the digital space going forward:

"For those of us who have been invested in creating digital programming for years this is yet another reminder that those bodies, platforms, and brands historically thought of as “traditional media” continue to see the power of what we’re doing and recognize their options are adapt or decline. We appreciate the announcement and are hopeful for recognition for both our brands as well as leading creators in our space."

Lisa Fillipelli, Vice President of Talent at Big Frame (and manager to Tyler Oakley, Ingrid Nilsen, Amanda Steele,and other top talent)

"What an amazing recognition for our industry!" she said in an email to Mashable. "The creators and executives behind this incredible talent have been working tirelessly for so many years to be taken seriously and this will definitely help legitimize all of our hard work."

On what this means for the digital space going forward:

I think it means that the small, but mighty group of people who have been working tirelessly for so many years are finally getting the attention they deserve. We are here to stay

George Strompolos, Fullscreen CEO

"Let's win some Emmys!" he told Mashable in an email interview. 

On why recognition is important:

"The creators starring in much of this content are becoming more important to young viewers than traditional stars.

If the Academy is interested in representing excellence in programming, creator-driven short-form content can't be ignored as a major force among a rising generation of viewers."

On what this means for the digital space going forward:

"Things are changing to reflect that young people want to gain access to their favorite talent, consider these stories to be premium quality content and want to watch on their screens whenever and wherever they want. It's great to see the Academy recognize and honor this shift in viewing habits.

We hope this accelerates the acceptance of emerging content that doesn't fit the traditional entertainment mold. These formats and stars are born online, but if the content is high quality, it will resonate in the heart and mind of its viewer on any screen."

#TeamInternet on Twitter

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.