‘Empire’ Wins ‘Program of the Year’ at the Television Critics Academy Awards

While “Empire” has been the most-watched new series last season based on ratings, it was mostly snubbed by the Emmy’s. But the Television Critics Association (TCA), which handed its annual awards over the weekend, has named the Fox drama “Program of the Year.” The show, created by Lee Daniels, bested other contenders like “Game of Thrones,” “Mad Men,” and “Transparent.”

The awards panel also handed out honors to “Better Call Saul,” “The Americans” and “Inside Amy Schumer.” Below is the list of winners.

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR – Empire, Fox
Nominees
The Americans, FX
Game of Thrones, HBO
Mad Men, AMC
Transparent, Amazon

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM – Better Call Saul, AMC
Nominees
Empire, Fox
The Flash, The CW
Jane the Virgin, The CW
Transparent, Amazon

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY – Inside Amy Schumer, Comedy Central
Nominees
The Big Bang Theory, CBS
Jane the Virgin, The CW
Transparent, Amazon
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY – Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer
Nominees
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Gina Rodriguez, Jane The Virgin
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Constance Wu, Fresh Off the Boat

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA – The Americans, FX
Nominees
Empire, Fox
Game of Thrones, HBO
Justified, FX
Mad Men, AMC

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA – Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Nominees
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES AND SPECIALS – The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, HBO
Nominees
Bessie, HBO
The Honorable Woman, SundanceTV
Olive Kitteridge, HBO
Wolf Hall, PBS

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMMING – The Chair, Starz
Nominees
The Amazing Race, CBS
Dancing With the Stars, ABC
RuPaul’s Drag Race, Logo
Shark Tank, ABC

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING – The Fosters, ABC Family
Nominees
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, PBS
The Legend of Korra, Nickelodeon
Sesame Street, PBS
Switched at Birth, ABC Family

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION – Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, HBO
Nominees
60 Minutes, CBS
CBS Sunday Morning, CBS
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Comedy Central
Frontline, PBS

HERITAGE AWARD – Late Show/Late Night with David Letterman
Nominees
Friends
The Shield
Star Trek
Twin Peaks

The TCA has over 220 members. The awards was handed out Saturday.