The 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards recently concluded, highlighting excellence in broadcast journalism. This prestigious event, held in New York City, celebrated significant achievements across various news categories. CBS notably emerged as a major winner, demonstrating a strong presence in the news landscape. Other prominent networks, including CNN and ABC, also secured key awards for their impactful programming. The ceremony also paid tribute to a broadcasting veteran for his enduring contributions to the field.
On the first night of the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at the Palladium Times Square in New York City, CNN led the news categories with five wins. Closely following were ABC, CBS, and National Geographic, each securing four awards. A significant moment of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Al Roker, the renowned weather and feature anchor for \"Today,\" with his former colleague Bryant Gumbel presenting the honor.
Among the noteworthy program recognitions, ABC's \"World News Tonight with David Muir\" received the Emmy for Outstanding Live News Program, a testament to its compelling real-time reporting. CNN's \"The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper\" was celebrated as the Outstanding Recorded News Program, acknowledging its in-depth storytelling. The event also featured a distinguished lineup of presenters from various leading news organizations, underscoring the collaborative spirit within the journalism community. The awards for the documentary categories are scheduled to be announced on the following day, completing the two-part celebration.
This year, National Geographic, a Disney subsidiary, garnered the highest number of nominations, receiving 46 nods. PBS followed with 37 nominations, trailed by CNN (33), ABC (including Hulu, totaling 30), Netflix (29), and CBS (28). Among Spanish-language broadcasters, Univision led the pack with 13 nominations. Terry O'Reilly, Chairman of NATAS, emphasized the vital role of journalists and documentarians in shaping national discourse and empowering the public through their commitment to truth and impactful storytelling. Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS, echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in recognizing those who courageously deliver the truth to the public, setting a high benchmark for future generations in the field. He also specifically lauded Al Roker and the 2025 Gold & Silver Circle honorees for their significant contributions to television. The Gold and Silver Circle awards honor professionals who have dedicated 50 and 25 years, respectively, to the television industry, acknowledging their lasting impact and unwavering commitment.
The 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards adjusted its schedule this year, moving to the summer from its traditional fall dates as part of a strategic realignment by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The awards process involved over 2200 submissions from the 2024 calendar year, with judging conducted by a diverse panel of more than 980 professionals from the television, streaming, and digital media news and documentary sectors. This comprehensive evaluation ensured that the most deserving works and individuals were recognized for their journalistic excellence and innovative storytelling.
This year's News & Documentary Emmy Awards underscored a dynamic and competitive media landscape, with various networks receiving well-deserved recognition for their dedication to impactful journalism. The shift in the awards schedule and the robust participation from diverse media platforms reflect an evolving industry committed to acknowledging top-tier news and documentary content.