Emmys Set To Unveil Winners Saturday Via Livestream

The Emmys must go on, and the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will become the first to hand out awards in this current shelter-at-home environment. The 63rd annual New York Emmy Awards will be announced via a pre-produced webcast that could serve as a template for how other awards shows might proceed over the next few months.

The NY Emmy Awards, which saw its 2020 awards gala scheduled for last weekend canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, said Thursday it will reveal its winners Saturday via a streaming awards show. It marks one of the first awards shows going forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Production is underway on the virtual ceremony. The webcast — to be streamed live on the New York Emmy Awards website and on Facebook Live — will feature presenters opening sealed envelopes and announcing winners in 137 categories via remote locations that have been pre-taped all around New York. It takes the place of a gala originally scheduled to be held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on April 18.

Burkett said today envelopes will be opened on video by solo presenters in different locations, with acceptance speeches to be posted by the winners at #NYEmmys2020. More than 140 winners will be announced.

“We’re giving it a try to be creative,” said Robert Lazo, NATAS’ interim director of awards and communications. “Yes, it would have been easier just to post a press release, but the board, especially for our chapter, decided to see if we could come up with something. We’re going to give it a shot and see how people like it.”

There has been so little to cheer about these days. We get that,” Burkett said in a release on the NATAS site. “So, here’s hoping you can organize Zoom and BlueJeans watch parties with your colleagues, friends, and family. (Tuxedos and ball gowns are optional, but encouraged, along with a champagne toast to celebrate excellence!)”

Local New York TV personalities who will be seen announcing winners include WABC-TV entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon, WCBS weekend anchor Jessica Moore, WPIX senior correspondent Marvin Scott, WNBC anchor David Ushery and News 12 Long Island reporter Virginia Huie. Sportscaster Michael Kay will also pay tribute to longtime New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling, who is receiving the New York chapter’s Governors’ Award.

“There was a camera person, a producer and then the presenter, at various locations,” Lazo said. “So the crew went from location to location they met the talent where they lived or near where they lived.”

N.J. Burkett, president of NATAS’ New York chapter and a correspondent WABC-TV, noted that this is the first time the New York Emmys have gone without an in-person ceremony since launching in 1957. “The Academy’s board of governors and I were determined to carry on this proud tradition, despite the extraordinary challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Added NATAS president/CEO Adam Sharp, president/CEO: “With the New York region at the national epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, we salute the broadcasters working tirelessly to keep the community informed. This year’s regional Emmy ceremony will look a little different, but the recognition of excellence is ever more timely.”

The virtual ceremony could serve as a template for other NATAS-run Emmy shows. The organization has already cancelled ceremonies for the Daytime Emmys, the Technology & Engineering Emmys and the Sports Emmy Awards.