natas

NATAS stands for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a nonprofit professional association for television industry professionals in the United States. It administers several Emmy Award competitions, most notably the regional Emmy Awards and national honors for daytime, sports, and news and documentary programming. The organization operates alongside the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS), which administers the Primetime Emmy Awards; together they support the broader Emmy awards system.

NATAS operates through a national office and a network of regional chapters across the United States. Each chapter handles local nominations and ceremonies, while the national body coordinates governance, rules, and national Emmy categories within its remit. In addition to awards administration, NATAS runs educational initiatives, scholarship programs, mentorship opportunities, and programs related to preserving television history.

Historically, NATAS was established in the mid-20th century as a professional society to recognize excellence in television arts and sciences and to promote industry standards. Its Emmys recognize achievements outside the Primetime realm, including Daytime Emmys, Sports Emmys, and News & Documentary Emmys, as well as regional productions. NATAS plays a key role in shaping industry recognition, professional development, and the public documentation of television excellence across multiple genres and regions.