2020 Category List

2020 MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL EMMY® AWARD CATEGORIES

                                 NEWS 
One award, more than one award, or no award (except where noted) may be given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the news program, segment or coverage. Anchors, reporters, photographers, editors, assignment editors, hosts, directors and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry. For any entry designated as a series, a minimum of two reports must be included.
      (CHAPTER NOTE: NEWS categories are intended for content that had its origin in a newscast or news feed, and from online journalism organizations such as newspapers and news magazines that also produce video content. Entries submitted in NEWS categories from non-news organizations, production companies, programming organizations, etc will be subject to disqualification.)

1.Newscast – Evening- Larger Markets (#1-38)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled evening newscast.   Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.

2.Newscast – Evening- Medium Markets (#39 & smaller)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled evening newscast.   Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.

3.Newscast – Morning- Larger Markets (#1-38)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled morning newscast.   Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.

4.Newscast – Morning- Medium Markets (#39 & Smaller)
For excellence in a regularly scheduled morning newscast.   Post edits are not permitted except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time limit: 60 minutes.

5. General Assignment Report- Within 24 Hours
For excellence in coverage of a single news story or topic which is assigned, shot, edited and aired within a 24-hour period. Entry may include live and/or taped elements and online content. Time limit: 10 minutes.
      COMMENT: This is the basic news reporting done day-in day-out by a News Department. This is for the coverage of planned events and done as planned assignments.

6. Spot News
For excellence in coverage of a single, unanticipated news event that is shot, edited, produced and aired within 24 hours. Entry may include multiple live and/or taped elements and online content. Elements of a related Breaking News entry may be included in a Spot News entry but not in their entirety. Time limit: 15 minutes of one news story.           COMMENT: This is the “I am here at the bank where this morning the bullets were flying over my head, and in the 2 hours following the police chased the robber to the state line.” The goal is to extend what was done in the simultaneous report to allow the entry of the longer form report.
(Note: Regional recipients in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a crystal pillar in the National News and Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Spot News.)

7.Continuing Coverage- No Time Limit
For excellence in coverage of a single news story over an extended number of reports. Entries will be judged in part on story advancement and should be entered as a composite, but exempt from composite five-lift rule. Time limit: 30 minutes

8. Team Coverage
For excellence by a team involved in covering multiple news stories on a single subject, shot, edited, produced and aired within 24 hours. Entry may include multiple live and/or taped elements and online content. Exempt from composite five-lift rule.  Entry length shall not exceed 60 minutes.
     (CHAPTER NOTE: Submitters in the Team Coverage category are encouraged to list as entrants the names of ALL team members whose contribution were significant to the entry’s quality – up to ten entrants)

9. Investigative Report- Single Story or Series
For excellence in reporting of a community problem requiring research and investigative journalism. Entry will be judged on the quality and extent of research, the presentation, and the impact of the reporting. Written documentation is required (100-word limit.) Time limit: 30 minutes.
     (Note: Regional recipients in this category are eligible, at their discretion, to compete for a crystal pillar in the National News & Documentary Awards in the following category: Outstanding Regional News Story – Investigative Reporting.)  

10. Feature News Report- Light Feature
For excellence in reporting of a single feature news story or topic. Time limit 10 minutes.

11. Feature News Report- Serious Feature
For excellence in reporting of a single feature news story or topic. Time limit 10 minutes

12. Feature News Report- Series
For excellence in reporting of a multi-part feature news story or topic. Time limit: 15 minutes.

13. Arts/Entertainment- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of general entertainment, variety, or visual and performing arts. Time Limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.

14. Business/Consumer- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of business, finance, consumer affairs or economic topics. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.

15. Crime- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of crimes or other violations of the law. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.

16. Education/Schools- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of schools, teaching or education. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.

17. Environment/Science- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of science, environmental impact issues, topics or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.

18. Health- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in a coverage of health, medical topics, or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes.  Series time limit: 15 minutes.

19. Historic/CulturalNews Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of subjects that emphasize historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics. Time limit: 10 minutes.  Series Time Limit: 15 minutes

20. Human Interest- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of stories that appeal to the human spirit. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes

21. News Special
For excellence in coverage of a one-time-only significant, newsworthy event, occasion or topic. Subject should be an in-depth treatment of current topic. Time limit: 60 minutes

22. Politics/Government- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of political, civil, government issues or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes

23. Societal Concerns- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of current issues of societal concern, social ills, community or general public interest. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series Time Limit: 15 minutes

                   PROGRAMMING
One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the program, segment or coverage. Hosts, moderators, reporters, directors, photographers, editors, writers and qualified others may be eligible if their contributions are significant to the entry’s award-worthiness. For program entries, the entry may only contain content from one episode of the series, not multiple installments.   Submitters who created work as part of media pool coverage can only enter their material once and must clearly identify their contributions on the entry.
    (CHAPTER NOTE: News organizations that produce full-length programs beyond newscasts ARE eligible in appropriate programming categories. Examples: a News team that produces a documentary, magazine program, discussion program, etc.)

24. Arts/Entertainment- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special of general entertainment, variety, visual and performing arts. Time limit: 10 minutes.

25. Arts Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special of visual and performing arts. Time limit: 30 minutes.

26. Documentary
For excellence in the creation of a formal, structured television presentation with dramatic impact of an event, condition or situation of current, cultural and/or historical significance. Time limit 60 minutes.

27. Education/Schools- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers schools, teaching or education. Time limit: 10 minutes.

28. Education/Schools- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers schools, teaching or education. Time limit: 30 minutes.

29. Entertainment- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers general entertainment. Time limit: 30 minutes.

30. Health/Science/Environment- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers health, science, medical topics, environmental impact issues, topics or subject matter. Time limit: 10 minutes.

31. Health/Science/Environment- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers health, science, medical topics, environmental impact issues, topics or subject matter. Time limit: 30 minutes.

32, Historic/Cultural– Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program, or special that covers historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics. Time limit: 10 minutes.

33. Historic/Cultural- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics. Time limit: 30 minutes.

34. Human Interest- Program Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers subject matter that appeals to the human spirit. Time limit: 10 minutes.

35. Human Interest- Program/Special
For excellence in a program, or special that covers subject matter that appeals to the human spirit.  Time limit: 30 minutes.

36. Interview/Discussion Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special consisting of interview/discussion material that is at least 75% unscripted.  This category is primarily intended for formal interviews where both the interviewer(s) and the interviewee(s) are visible on camera.  Time limit: 30 minutes.   (CHAPTER NOTE: Entries may be a one-time Interview/Discussion special, or a single episode from an Interview/Discussion series.)

37. Lifestyle Program- Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program, series or special that deals with everyday life subjects; such as, food preparation, recipes, techniques, home improvement, decoration, renovation, gardening, outdoors, crafts and/or automotive repairs. Time Limit: 10 minutes.

38. Lifestyle Program- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that deals with everyday life subjects; such as food preparation, recipes, techniques, home improvement, decoration, renovation, gardening, outdoors, crafts and/or automotive repairs. Time Limit: 30 minutes.

39. Magazine- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special consisting of various stories of regional interest designed to entertain and inform. Time limit: 30 minutes.

40. Politics/Government- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special that covers political, civil, government issues or subject matter. Time limit: 30 minutes

41. Public/Current/Community Affairs Program- Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program, series or special on general public interest or concern, especially those dealing with current community, social or political issues. Time limit: 10 minutes.

42. Public/Current/Community Affairs- Program/Special
For excellence in a program or special on general public interest or concern, especially those dealing with current community, social or political issues. Time limit: 30 minutes.

43. Societal Concerns Program- Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment from a program or special that covers current issues of societal concern, social ills, community or general public interest.  Time limit: 10 minutes.

44. Branded Content– NEW CATEGORY!
For excellence in a complete, stand-alone, content-based program which tells a story and includes some visual branding. For example, a medical program produced by/for a hospital. Program may not contain a call for commerce. Website URLs or requests to follow social media accounts do not constitute calls for commerce. Segments or features from within the initial program are not allowed. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible. Entry may not be entered in any other news or program category. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
(CHAPTER NOTE: Short AND Long Form Branded Content are eligible in this category. Short Form Branded Content entries may consist of a composite of up to 3 samples from the same campaign)

SPORTS
45.
Sports- News Single Story or Series
For excellence in coverage of a sports NEWS story from a newscast or sportscast or sports news program. Time limit: 10 minutes. Series time limit: 15 minutes.

46. Sportscast
For excellence in a sportscast within a newscast or sports news program. Time limit: 10 minutes.

47. Sports- News Feature
For excellence in a feature or segment on a sports topic. Time limit: 10 minutes.
(CHAPTER NOTE: Entries should be from a newscast or news feed.)

48. Sports- Feature/Segment
For excellence in a feature or segment on a sports topic (non-news). Time Limit: 10 minutes. (CHAPTER NOTE: Entries from newscasts or news feeds are not eligible.)

49. Sports- One-Time Special
For excellence in a one-time sports related special program that is not part of a daily or weekly sports program, game or series. Entry may be live or recorded live. Entry should have no post edits except for the removal of commercials. Time Limit: 30 minutes.

50. Sports Program- Live
For excellence in a sports program that is live or recorded live. Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast, including but not limited to pregame and postgame shows surrounding live sporting events. Entries may include multi-camera and pre-produced segments that cover the full spectrum of the event. Entry may not have post edits except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Series entries are also eligible. Time Limit: 30 minutes   (CHAPTER NOTE: Each entry should be one episode, not a composite from various episodes of a series. More than one episode from the same series may be entered as a separate entry. Episodes from limited series are eligible.)

51. Sports Program- Post-Produced or Edited
For excellence in a daily or weekly sports program or sports series (non-news). Entry must have, as its basis, special coverage not to be taken from a newscast. Content in these programs is post-produced and heavily edited. Entry may have no post-broadcast edits except for the removal of commercials. Entry will be judged on overall content, presentation, enterprise, writing, format, teases, etc. Time Limit: 30 minutes
  (CHAPTER NOTE: Each entry should be one episode, not a compilation from various episodes of a series. More than one episode from the same series may be entered as a separate entry. Episodes from limited series are eligible.)

52. Sports Event/Game – Live/Unedited – Program or Series
For excellence in production of a single program, special or series, (live or recorded live) sports event or game. No post edits. A composite (from one episode or game) is required and may include examples of: Show Open, Graphics Package, Use of Replays, Inserted Pre-Produced Segments, Use of Statistical or Other Prepared Material, Highlights, Standard Coverage (e.g. Routine Innings or Downs) and any additional material at entrant’s discretion.  Must adhere to five-lift rule.  Time Limit: 30 minutes.

SPOT ANNOUNCEMENTS
One award, more than one award, or no award is given to the producer(s) and others directly responsible for the content and execution of the promotion or commercial. Entries must be regionally conceived, produced and aired. Spots that contain more than 50% of network or syndicator-provided material do not qualify. Music, graphics and pre-edited video constitute such material. Spots may be 5-seconds to 5 minutes in length. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible. If a campaign is entered, a maximum of three spots may be included which are edited together for a single video upload.

53. Promotion- News, Program, PSA- Single Spot
For excellence in announcements that promote a news or program image, a specific story, stories or series, including sports, weather and/or franchise stories, specials and non-news programming. This includes spots that promote a broader station/company image as well as regionally produced spots for network and/or syndicated programming, or PSA spots that effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes.  Single Spot time limit: 5 minutes

54. Promotion- News, Program, PSA- Campaign
For excellence in campaign announcements that promote a news or program image, a specific story, stories or series, including sports, weather and/or franchise stories, specials and non-news programming. This includes campaigns that promote a broader station/company image as well as regionally produced spots for network and/or syndicated programming, or PSA campaigns that effectively focus interest in and marshal support for worthy community or area causes. Campaign time limit: 15 minutes

55. Commercial- Single Spot
For excellence in commercial production advertising a product, business or service that is conceived, written, created and produced in and for the regional market. Spots may be 5-seconds to 5 minutes in length. Program length commercials (infomercials) are not eligible.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (Multiple Recipients)
One award, more than one award, or no award is given to those person(s) directly responsible for the content and execution of the material presented in the entry.

56. Interactive Media
For excellence in multimedia/trans-media content that stands alone as original regional programming, OR uses digital platforms, like the web, mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, etc., to extend or enhance the viewing experience, involvement and engagement beyond a linear television or video experience.  Components may include tools, cross-platform environments or activities that unlock content, provide access to information, back-story or user-generate narratives, facilitate individual or collective participants and social collaboration. Content must have originated during the Chapter’s eligibility year. Submission to include a video (no promotional, marketing, sales or sizzle reels), that focuses on key features and user experiences, along with the active URL or link to the webpage for judges to view. Video Time Limit: 5 minutes. (Note: This category is not exempt from “double-dipping” rules.)

              SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (Single Recipient)
One award, more than one award, or no award is given only to the primary recipient listed on each category. Others who may have contributed to the content and execution of the material presented in the entry may purchase plaques to commemorate their participation. These categories are exempt from “double-dipping” rules.

57. Overall Excellence
Awarded to the President/General Manager only for excellence in the overall operations of a television station, news/sports cable system or online media outlet, during the eligibility period. Entry should reflect the organization’s overall local product including any news & sports coverage, other locally produced programs, promotional announcements, on-air examples of events hosted by the organization and involvement in the community, and any further evidence of excellence. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth and efficacy of the organization’s operations, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit performance in sustaining excellence throughout the eligibility year.  Exempt from the five segment composite limits, but the entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired.  No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added.  This is not intended to be a “buzz” or demo reel. Entry should include a written synopsis of the organization’s operation, product, accomplishments and achievements. (Note: This category is exempt from “double-dipping” rules.)  Entry length shall not exceed 30 minutes.

58. News Excellence
Awarded to the News Director only for excellence in the overall news operation during the eligibility period. Entry should present as many different examples as possible, including, but not limited to: enterprise in general assignment reporting, breaking news coverage, specialty and beat reporting, series, documentaries, continuing coverage of community issues, editorials/commentaries, etc. Entry should emphasize the quality, breadth and efficacy of a news operation, stressing substance rather than style, and exhibit the news department’s performance in sustaining excellence throughout the year. Exempt from the five segment composite limits, but the entry must be comprised only of material as actually aired.  No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added.  This is not intended to be a “buzz” or demo reel. Entry should include a written synopsis.  (Note: This category is exempt from “double-dipping” rules.) Entry length shall not exceed 30 minutes.

59. Community Service
Awarded to the individual most responsible for excellence in programming; whether news or non-news, involving the entire company in a continuing effort to focus interest on, and marshal support for, a worthy community cause. Entry should emphasize the depth, breadth, duration and efficacy of the effort, and must be comprised only of material as actually aired. No introductions, post production, montages, music or special effects may be added.  Composite entries are allowed, but entry is exempt from five. segment composite limits. Entry should include a written synopsis.  (Note: This category is exempt from “double-dipping” rules.) Entry length shall not exceed 30 minutes.

CRAFTS ACHIEVEMENT
One award, more than one award, or no award is given for excellence in a specific craft discipline demonstrating the skills of one or more individuals. Each entry may contain a single example of the craft or a composite of material as originally transmitted.   Time Limit: 15 minutes (unless otherwise indicated).

While craft entrants may submit more than one entry per craft discipline, only one of those entries may be a composite. Elements of the composite may not be separately entered as individual craft entries.  Craft awards are intended for hands-on craft persons, not those that supervise craft person

60. Audio

61. Editor- Program
(Non-News)

62. Editor-Short Form
(Promos, PSAs, Commercials, Opens, etc.)

63. Editor- News
(CHAPTER NOTE: For content airing within a newscast or sportscast)

64. Graphic Arts/Animation
Entries must contain graphical elements originally created for regional markets. Re-purposed content from national sources is not eligible. Exempt from five-lift rule. Entry length shall not exceed 5 minutes.

65. Musical Composition/Arrangement

66. Talent – Anchor – News
For Anchor categories only: A segment is a ‘lift’ from a news program (newscast, news special, breaking news, etc.) with the material that doesn’t include the entrant edited out. An entry may include up to five segments. Each segment can include material from only ONE news program: think of this as “five segments equals five changes of clothing” rule. Entrants may not cherry-pick short segments from various points throughout the program and edit those together; that would be a montage. It’s allowed, but not required, for the co-anchor’s and reporters’ video to be edited out of a segment. Anchor entries may include examples of studio anchoring, field anchoring, specials, breaking, etc., but NOT reporter packages (if an anchor also does reporter packages, he/she must enter those in one of the reporter categories.)

67. Talent – Anchor – Weather
(CHAPTER NOTE: May follow composite guidelines above for Anchor- News)

68. Talent – Program Host/Moderator

69. Talent – Reporter – Features/Human Interest

70. Talent – Reporter – General Assignment

71. Talent – Reporter – Specialty Assignment

72. Talent- Sports 
(CHAPTER NOTE: Sports anchors, reporters or both accepted. Entries consisting solely of sports anchor content may follow composite guidelines above for Anchor- News.)

73. Talent- Sports Analyst/Play-by-Play

74. Photographer- News
(CHAPTER NOTE: For content airing within a newscast or sportscast.)

75. Photographer- Program
(Non-News)

76. Photographer- Video Essay
(Single Camera Only)  For excellence by a single individual covering a single or multi-part news story or program. The video essay creator is the photojournalist and editor, weaving together elements captured in the field to tell the story without a reporter or professional talent track. Entry may not be entered in any other craft or program category.

77. Video Journalist
For excellence by a cross-discipline individual, serving also as photojournalist, editor, talent, and writer; covering a single or multi-part story or topic. Entry may not be entered in any other craft category.

78. Writer
(Script Preferred)
(CHAPTER NOTE: Program, News, Commentary/Editorial, Short Form writers are eligible)