Why Emmy Awards’ Recent Rule Changes Are Not Fair to the Artists

As the new year began, everyone geared up to embrace resolutions and changes. The Emmy Awards team is no exception. They’ve introduced some major rule changes to their award categories, stirring debates about whether these updates are truly fair to artists or not.

Dan Levy and Eugene Levy were the co-hosts of the 76th Emmy Awards | Credit: Instagram\@instadanlevy

Announced on January 8, 2025, by the Television Academy, these changes impact directing, guest acting, casting, and theme music. While the first two will take effect for the 2025 Emmys, the latter will apply in 2026. But the big question is, are these new rules fair to the artists?

Directors will get to showcase multiple works

The first major change affects directors, and it’s a game-changer. Previously, directors could only submit one episode per category, no matter how many shows they worked on. Now, they can submit multiple episodes, as long as each submission comes from a different show. This gives directors a better chance to show the full range of their work across various projects.

The Boys | Credit: Amazon Studios

On the surface, this sounds like a win for creativity. A director juggling multiple high-quality productions can finally show the world their masterpieces. It also means more opportunities for recognition, especially for directors working on various genres in the same year.

However, this change could also tilt the playing field in favor of big-name directors like Frederick E.O. Toye known for The Boys, or Mimi Leder known for The Morning Show, who already dominate the industry. Think about it: a director with several high-budget projects and star-studded casts will naturally have more submissions, which could increase their chances of winning.

Smaller, niche projects might find it harder to compete against the sheer volume of submissions from high-profile directors. This might make it tougher for smaller, more niche projects to stand out. While the idea behind the change is to create more opportunities, the reality might make it harder for up-and-coming talents to get the spotlight they deserve.

Guest acting rules aim to give newcomers more chance

The new guest acting rule has sparked plenty of debate. Under this rule, actors who have previously won or been nominated for lead or supporting roles can no longer submit for a guest acting award if they’re playing the same character in the same series. They can still compete in the lead or supporting categories but are barred from re-entering as guests.

Mel Brooks won three consecutive Emmy Awards for his role in Mad About You | Credit: NBC

This rule aims to give newer or less-recognized actors a chance to shine in the guest categories. It’s a move toward inclusivity, ensuring that veteran actors don’t dominate every category they enter. For new actors, this could be a golden opportunity. For them, this could open doors to well-deserved accolades.

But not everyone is jumping with joy about this new rule, and honestly, can you blame them? If an actor nails a role and gives a jaw-dropping performance, does it really matter if they’ve played that character before or already have a shelf full of awards? Talent is talent, and a gifted actor is bound to deliver award-worthy performances more often than not. Instead of holding that against them, shouldn’t we be rooting for great work to get the recognition it deserves, no matter who’s behind it?

For experienced actors, this rule might feel less like a challenge and more like a punishment for being consistently good at what they do. It could even take away some of the drive and passion they pour into their roles. After all, why give your 110% if the system feels like it’s working against you?

Casting awards have been streamlined

Starting in 2026, the Television Academy will streamline the eligibility rules for casting teams in the reality program category. Only specific roles, such as “casting by” and “supervising casting producer,” will qualify for the award. This move aims to simplify the process and ensure recognition goes to those directly responsible for casting.

Dan Levy and Eugene Levy were the co-hosts of the 76th Emmy Awards | Credit: YouTube\Television Academy

While this change provides clarity, it also raises concerns about fairness. Reality TV casting is often a team effort, with many contributors playing key roles in shaping the final product. By limiting the eligible titles, the Academy risks overlooking the collaborative nature of this work. Smaller teams or contributors who lack formal titles might feel excluded, even if they made significant contributions.

Now theme music has to be nothing short of legendary

Big changes are coming in 2026 for the Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music category! From now on, a show’s main title theme must appear in at least half of its eligible episodes to even qualify. On top of that, the theme has to act as a unique “musical fingerprint” that perfectly captures the show’s vibe.

FRIENDS | Credit: NBC

This new rule definitely raises the bar for composers. It pushes them to create title themes that aren’t just catchy but truly unforgettable. By making the music a consistent part of the series, it helps build a stronger identity for the show. And let’s be real, a killer theme song can become legendary like the theme songs of FRIENDS, so this focus on quality feels like a move in the right direction.

While some of these rule changes seem fair and exciting, others might stir up some debate. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out!

You can stream the 76th Emmy Awards on Hulu!