Esports is making its way to the prestigious awards circuit. American award-giving body Sports Emmy Awards by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has announced that it is including esports among its categories.

Media and production companies will get a chance to bag the Outstanding Esports Coverage award for reportage on any esports championship or final event. The prize will apply to live or edited productions covering any event from February 7, 2019 through February 6, 2020.

To enter, interested participants must submit a video no more than 20 minutes and a minimum of two excerpts.

“The entry will not be judged on the quality of the video game itself, but rather on the merits of the coverage and presentation of the competition to the viewer,” according to the official 41st Sports Emmy Awards rulebook.



President & CEO of NATAS Adam Sharp talked about being proud of this huge step of the Academy for the sports industry.

“We are entering an exciting new chapter for the Sports Emmy Awards with the addition of an exclusive category dedicated to recognizing excellence within esports,” Sharp said.

“The category, Outstanding Esports Coverage, illustrates the Academy’s commitment to remain on the forefront of the ever-changing world of sports production.”

The 41st Sports Emmy Awards will take place in May next year in New York.

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