The Los Angeles-based Television Academy and New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced Monday that they have begun exploratory talks on a possible reunification nearly 50 years after the organizations split.
The boards of both organizations voted overwhelmingly to explore what a unified academy could offer for the television industry, including expanded member services, stronger industry advocacy and greater collaboration across the national Emmy Awards competitions, according to a statement.
There is no timetable for concluding the discussions.
Because of the ongoing talks, the Television Academy’s board voted to extend the terms of all current governors by one year to provide continuity during the deliberations.
“Television remains the most powerful medium we have to shape culture and prompt conversations that define us — no matter the size of the screen,” representatives of both organizations said in a joint statement. “With the business of television undergoing such a monumental transformation, this is the right moment to explore a reunification of our academies, providing our members and our industry with a bolder voice advocating for them and a stronger partner to navigate the future with them.”
The organizations split in 1977 after years of disagreements over governance and control. Since then, the Television Academy has overseen the Primetime Emmy Awards, while NATAS has presented the News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime and Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, along with regional Emmy competitions.
In recent years, the organizations have worked more closely together, including coordinating Emmy competition categories and expanding reciprocal membership opportunities, laying the groundwork for the current discussions.