NATAS Announces Changes to Daytime Emmy Categories
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced some changes for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, including the elimination of two categories, the merging of two other categories, and changes for Daytime Program host eligibility.
“Programming is always changing, and NATAS continues to adapt its competition rules to reflect these shifts in the television landscape,” said Adam Sharp, President of NATAS. “We’re looking forward to gathering again at the 51st Daytime Emmys to celebrate all the nominees and the entertaining and enlightening programs they create.”
The only change that directly affects soap fans is the elimination of the Outstanding Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama category. The category originated back in 1985 when it was split into two separate categories, one for Outstanding Younger Actress (originally called Outstanding Ingenue and Outstanding Juvenile Female) and the other for Outstanding Younger Actor (originally called Outstanding Young Man and Outstanding Juvenile Male).
In 2020, the two gendered categories were merged into Outstanding Younger Performer. Originally the category was for performers under the age of 25, however, the age limit was lowered to 21 for the 2022 ceremony and then to 18 for the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2023. Going forward, younger actors and actresses will submit themselves in the Lead, Supporting, or Guest categories regardless of age.
Outside of soaps, the Outstanding Promotional Announcement category has been eliminated and the Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Series and Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Special categories have been merged into Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program. In addition, the Daytime Program Host category is now split into two separate categories: Daytime Personality — Daily and Daytime Personality — Non-Daily, depending on the show’s frequency. (This does not apply to talk show hosts, but to hosts in the entertainment/lifestyle/legal-style genre.)
Submissions for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards open on Thursday, Feb. 1, with a deadline of Thursday, Feb. 22. Judging is scheduled to take place between March 21 and April 11, with nominations to be announced the week of April 15. The 2024 Daytime Emmys ceremonies are currently planned to be held in Early June.
