There is no doubt in that, the world has been bestowed with talent and legacies in abundance. To suffice for the ever-growing list of these endowments, the TV Academy has made the perfect move.

The first Primetime Emmys presented six awards in 1949. In 2026, with a lineup of more than 20 categories, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced yet another massive honor for impactful shows.

The organization unveiled the Legacy Award on January 8, 2026. To be eligible, the shows will have to have a minimum of 60 episodes across a minimum of five seasons. In addition, they also have to demonstrate sustained relevance, influence, or inspiration to a genre of television.

Shows that have had a lasting impact on audiences and maintained relevance through various reprises across the years will be eligible. The Legacy Award will be handed over only once to a program, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

The Legacy Award goes to years' worth of TV runs, presented with just as much care.

Primetime Emmy Awards presents—the Legacy Award

Nominations for the TV Academy Legacy Award come from board governors, industry members, or the public through letters. Recipients will be selected by the Special Awards Committee, formerly the Governors' Award Committee.

Perhaps the Legacy Award will encourage longer-running television pieces. On the other hand, timeless and worthy TV runs will have yet another spot to shine.

Which long-time TV show do you think deserves the Primetime Emmy's Legacy Award? Let us know in the comments below!

Written by

Adiba Nizami

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra