New York Times reports that two years ago, few entertainment executives would have guessed that the performances of a sexy female detective, a 40-something single guy ordering a steak sandwich and Madonna as a college professor would be worthy of an Emmy.
But those are among the nominees for the first Emmy award to be given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding original programming for computers, cellphones and other hand-held devices, including the video iPod. The academy, which is best known for handing out the Daytime Emmy Awards, announced the nominees on Monday and will name a winner on April 22.
The category was created in November to draw attention to rapidly growing interest in mobile content that consumers have been quick to embrace. The chief executive of the academy, Peter O. Price, said 74 entries were received � including those from newspapers, magazines and movie studios � the most ever in any category.
"In this digital world, everyone is capable of launching video programming," said Mr. Price, whose organization is an affiliate of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which hands out the prime-time Emmys.
But those are among the nominees for the first Emmy award to be given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding original programming for computers, cellphones and other hand-held devices, including the video iPod. The academy, which is best known for handing out the Daytime Emmy Awards, announced the nominees on Monday and will name a winner on April 22.
The category was created in November to draw attention to rapidly growing interest in mobile content that consumers have been quick to embrace. The chief executive of the academy, Peter O. Price, said 74 entries were received � including those from newspapers, magazines and movie studios � the most ever in any category.
"In this digital world, everyone is capable of launching video programming," said Mr. Price, whose organization is an affiliate of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which hands out the prime-time Emmys.