Primetime Emmy Awards Telecast to Include Interactive Element

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will feature an interactive element this year. Starting today, viewers can go to a dedicated area of CBS's TV.com Web site (http://www.tv.com/breakthrough) to cast their vote for the "Breakthrough Performance of the Year" from clips of 15 performances that are available to view on the site. On Monday, September 14th, the field will be narrowed down to 10, and then the top three performances will be revealed during the September 20th Primetime Emmy's telecast on CBS, with the winner being announced at the end of the show. Voting will continue during the telecast itself. The competition is sponsored by Unilever's Vaseline Sheer Infusion brand. "Television is a medium defined by memorable moments and stirring performances that get people talking," Jack Sussman, EVP of specials, music and live events at CBS Entertainment, said in a prepared statement. "We want to give fans the opportunity to voice their thoughts on the events and personalities that defined the 2008-2009 television season and have their votes play a direct role in shaping part of the Emmy telecast."

In related news: TV.com has launched an Emmy Awards hub site (http://www.tv.com/emmys2009) which features videos, fashion "face-offs," photos and red carpet polls, and also invites visitors to make predictions which they can then share via Facebook or Twitter. "The Emmys is television's biggest night of the year, not only for those who are nominated, but also for the millions of fans who will be rooting for their favorite actors to win," Jeff Clark, VP of TV.com, said in a prepared statement. "We have a very passionate community of avid television fans at TV.com who will undoubtedly be watching the September 20th telecast. To complement their viewing experience and to build their excitement weeks before the actual event, we are launching this new Emmys section, giving these fans the most complete Emmys experience possible."