NASA's broadcast of the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse won an Emmy Award for Excellence in Production Technology.
At the 76th Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards on December 4 in New York, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the victory. Walt Lindblom and Sami Aziz accepted the award on behalf of the agency. Lindblom served as coordinating producer for the broadcast and Aziz as executive producer.
“By transmitting a total solar eclipse, this team brought joy and wonder about our Sun, Moon and Earth to viewers across America and the world,” said Will Boyington, associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Congratulations to the production team, whose efforts demonstrate their hard work and passion for sharing the wonder that makes our solar system what we strive to understand.”
NASA live broadcast The 2024 total solar eclipse was the most complex live project the agency has ever created. In total, NASA's eclipse coverage received nearly 40 million views live and in replays on its own distribution channels, including NASA+free agency streaming service. In the foreign market, the agency's main broadcast received 2,208 views on 568 channels in 25 countries.
“Our unique location in the solar system allows us on Earth to witness one of the most spectacular science shows that nature has to offer. NASA's production team captured the action every step of the way, including a rare glimpse of the solar corona,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters. “Congratulations to the NASA team for successfully displaying the 2024 total solar eclipse through NASA's eyes for the world to see together.”
The broadcast lasted three hours and showed the eclipse in seven American states and two countries. From cities, parks and stadiums, 11 presenters and correspondents provided live commentary, interviews and live coverage. Viewers from around the world tuned in, including at parties in nine locations, from the Austin Public Library to Times Square in New York. An interactive “Eclipse Board” provided real-time data analysis as the Moon's shadow crossed North America.
Live feeds from astronauts aboard the International Space Station and NASA's WB-57 high-altitude exploration aircraft were featured to provide rare and unique perspectives on the solar phenomenon. To make this possible, NASA deployed and enabled 67 cameras, 6 NASA global network control towers, 38 encoders and 35 decoders. The team coordinated 20 live broadcasts from the telescope, representing 12 locations along the way.
NASA eclipse broadcast wins another Emmy award earlier this year at the 46th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards for Outstanding Live News Production. Additionally, the show was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Opening of a Show or Title Sequence – News. NASA's eclipse communication and broadcast efforts also benefited from two Webby Awards and two Webby People's Voice Awards.
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