Academy of Television Arts & Sciences goes to court to stop ‘Emmys en Español’.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Los Angeles) is challenging the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in court to stop presenting Emmy Awards to Spanish-Language Television and Broadband Producers.

In 1973, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Los Angeles) and New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences split up and created separate organizations. To add additional Emmy platforms must be agreed by both organizations in accordance to an agreement between them. The New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has been bestowing honorary Emmys to key individuals in the Spanish-Language Television industry. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Los Angeles) disagrees with these awards and wants them to stop doing the en Español thing.

According to a release by New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences:

It is distressing to hear that the Academy in Los Angeles continues to thwart the recognition of not only Spanish language television but the whole new generation of independent producers on the Internet, based upon the irresponsible assertion that such recognition “proliferates” Emmy awards to the detriment of the Emmy brand.

As the New York Times reported, the average number of channels received by an American household has increased by 63 to 104 since 1995, while the broadband multiples that number by thousands of video streams. Spanish language television alone has grown in that same period from just a few channels to 32. The Hollywood Academy itself has ballooned their primetime categories from 59 in 1977 to 94 today, while annually awarding multiple statues to the same top talent and shows.

The real problem is not quantity of awards but quality of recipients. While the Hollywood stars (English speakers) take more bows, the new stars representing the fastest growing elements of television go unrecognized and unrewarded. Absolutely none of the Spanish language stars or programs have ever won a national Emmy award competition. As Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Emmys en Español, I urge that the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences be supported if not applauded in its efforts over the past five years to forge such recognition for the unserved but deserving talent in our television industry. At the same time I urge the Academy members in Los Angeles to open their eyes and ears to the huge population in their own backyard and get out of their protective caves. Yes, Spanish speakers park your cars and clear your tables, but they also run the number one television station in Los Angeles and also happen to run L.A. City Hall.

Raul Mateu
Chairman, Organizing Committee of Emmys en Español
Senior Vice President & Managing Director of Miami Operations, William Morris Agency

2007 Emmys En Español Organizing Committee Members

Fernando Arau
Co-Host, “Despierta America”, Univision

Andres Cantor
Sports Anchor, Telemundo

Maria Celeste Arraras
Host & Managing Editor, “Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste”, Telemundo

Gilbert Davila
Vice President, Multicultural Marketing, The Walt Disney Company

Jackie Hernandez-Fallous
Publisher, People en Español

Mario “Don Francisco” Kreutzberger
Host, “Sabado Gigante”, Univision

Jessi Losada
Sports Anchor, Telemundo

Saul Lisazo
Actor

Lucero
Actress & Singer

Jorge Ramos
Co-Anchor, “Noticiero Univision”, Univision

Maria Elena Salinas
Co-Anchor, “Noticiero Univision”, Univision

Cristina Saralegui
Host & Executive Producer, “Cristina,” Univision

Manny Vidal
President & Chief Executive Officer, The Vidal Partnership

Antoinette Zel
Senior Executive Vice President, Network Strategy, Telemundo

We say … go for it! 2007 Emmys En Español