Looks Like 2014 Won’t Be YouTube’s Year at the Emmys

The nominations for the 66th annual Emmy Awards were announced this morning. You probably noticed because everyone on social media briefly transformed into a television critic long enough to wail in despair or I guess shout with joy? (It was mostly wailing in despair over on my timeline to be honest.) It’s always fun to see how the nominations match up against our personal opinions but here at NMR there was one category that we were really watching.

Back in June we discussed the possibility that the Fine Brothers could be YouTube’s first Primetime Emmy nominees. Their “Kids React” series was on the nomination ballot under the category of Outstanding Short-Format Non-Fiction Program. Unfortunately, the nominations are in and it looks like this won’t be the year that a native YouTube creator hops the Emmy fence.

The Fine Brothers were up against programming from major network’s digital studios. Most of the other potential nominees were also digital supplements to established TV brands like “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “The Voice,” or were megastars like Jerry Seinfeld. Still, the fact that “Kids React” made a credible charge at the Emmy ballot is no small accomplishment. With a handful of major TV and film projects on the horizon it’s only a matter of time before one of YouTube’s homegrown stars grabs its first Emmy nod.

A final list of nominees for the category is below. How do you think the Fine Bros stack up against Jerry Seinfeld and Company?

Outstanding Short-Format Non-Fiction Program

Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee – Crackle.com

An Embassy Row Production for Crackle

Jerry Seinfeld, Executive Producer

COSMOS: A National Geographic Deeper Dive -NationalGeographic.com

National Geographic Channel

Allan Butler, Executive Producer

Christina Ricchiuti, Producer

I Was There: Boston Marathon Bombings – History.com

A&E Digital Studios in association with Kitty Guerrilla Films

Sean Kennedy, Executive Producer