‘House Of Cards,’ Netflix, Make Emmy History

The Netflix original House of Cards made Emmy history Thursday with nine nods, including one for top drama series.

Series stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were also nominated in the lead actor and actress categories.

This is the first time that an online program has been recognized by the Emmy Awards for being comparable in quality to what is offered on TV.

Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos said that he was thrilled with the Emmy results.

“The number of awards this morning was sort of a shock to everybody,” he said, adding, “We didn’t plan a big enough party.”

He added that he was happy Emmy voters were “so open to the idea” of Internet distributed content.

“In a way, it solidifies that television is television, no matter pipe brings it to the screen,” he said.

Netflix had campaigned for nominations for House of Cards as well as for Arrested Development, the cult hit cancelled years ago by Fox and revived for the streaming service earlier this year.

Though Arrested Development did not receive an outstanding comedy nomination (the first three seasons combined were nominated 22 times for various awards) but star Jason Bateman did receive a nod this year for lead actor in a comedy.

Many television experts have underscored the rising significance of original online content, and regard House of Cards‘ Emmy nods as a milestone.

“It certainly is a marker of the new era…. It will send shock waves through the industry,” said Tim Brooks, a TV historian and former network executive.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Emmy ceremony will air Sept. 22 on CBS. Neil Patrick Harris will host.

Are you a fan of House of Cards? Do you think that Arrested Development should have received more Emmy nominations? Sound off!