Awards: what they mean for TV, film, music and the people who make them

Awards can change a career overnight or just give a nice boost to a show or movie. You probably notice headlines about big winners and lost favorites during award season. But what do awards actually do, how are winners picked, and how should fans or creators think about them? This page explains the basics in plain language so you can follow the buzz without getting lost.

How awards work and who decides the winners

Different awards use different methods. Some are decided by industry peers — like many TV and film awards where members of an academy vote. Others rely on critics, festival juries, or a mix of critics and public voting. Then there are fan-voted awards where popularity matters more than craft. Knowing which method an award uses tells you what the prize really measures: peer respect, critical acclaim, or audience love.

Juries often look for craft: writing, directing, acting, production values. Public votes tend to reward buzz and emotional connection. Festivals and juries can reward risk-taking and fresh voices that mainstream awards might miss. That’s why a show can sweep one festival and be ignored elsewhere.

Why awards matter — and when they don’t

Award wins give projects credibility. A single major trophy can increase streams, push a film back into theaters, or make a TV show more valuable to networks. For creators, awards can open doors to bigger budgets and better teams. For viewers, awards offer a short list of things critics or peers found notable.

But awards aren’t the only measure of quality. Many great shows and films never win major prizes. Sometimes awards reflect industry politics, marketing muscle, or timing more than pure merit. Also, chasing awards can raise costs — higher pay for talent, longer campaigns, and more promotion. That probably helps explain why some TV shows get pricier each season.

If you follow awards, focus on what the prize reveals, not just the trophy. Is it a sign of lasting influence, or just a moment of hype? Does the award reward technical skill or popularity? That quick check makes the headlines more useful.

Quick tips for creators: submit early to festivals and award bodies, follow application rules, prepare a tight promotional plan, and invest in screeners only where they’ll reach voters or critics. For viewers: use awards as a filter, not a final judgment. Try winners you haven’t seen, but keep an eye on smaller festivals and critics’ picks — that’s where some of the most interesting work shows up.

Want a short list to start with? Big TV winners over the years include Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, The West Wing, Mad Men, The Sopranos, and 30 Rock. They didn’t all win everywhere, but each left a mark on the industry and viewers alike.