BROADCASTERS HOPE TO DUMP LONGFORM EMMYS

Not only do the Emmy categories for TV movies and miniseries shut out the broadcast networks — who rarely produce such fare anymore — they also act as a drag on the awards show itself, broadcast execs complain. “Once those longform awards come on, it’s the death march of boredom,” one unnamed network executive told today’s (Tuesday) Daily Variety. Executive producer Don Mischer told the trade publication that detailed ratings for the telecast confirm that opinion. “When we looked at the minute by minute ratings, they really do drop in longform,” he said. “And longform is some of the best work in television — just unbelievably good work of the highest quality with great artists. But it’s a simple fact that it’s less accessible to viewers.” And with cable capturing virtually all of the longform awards, a network source told New York magazine’s Vulture blog, “it’s like an infomercial for HBO.” He added, “We’ve got to change it.” According to several reports, the networks are expected to demand that the Academy spend less time honoring longform shows in the future. Variety suggested that the networks may demand that those categories by switched to the Creative Arts Emmys, which is televised only on cable. And today’s Hollywood Reporter indicated that the Academy is considering mounting a separate awards show for longform and miniseries programs.