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Cris Abrego Re-Elected Chair of the Television Academy, Vowing to Keep Advancing Diversity and Inclusion

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 16:29 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter

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Cris Abrego Re‑Elected Chair of the Television Academy, Vowing to Keep Advancing Diversity and Inclusion

The Television Academy has confirmed that Cris Abrego will serve a second term as its elected Chair, a decision that came after a voting session held on Tuesday. The Academy—organizer of the Primetime, Daytime and News & Documentary Emmy Awards—has long relied on its membership to choose a leader who can steer the organization toward greater inclusion, broaden the pipeline of talent, and preserve the integrity of the Emmy process. Abrego’s re‑election underscores the confidence her peers have in her vision for the Academy and her record of championing underrepresented voices in television.

A Career Built on Leadership and Representation

Abrego’s credentials are anchored in her long tenure in television production and executive leadership. She spent more than a decade at Warner Bros. Television, where she oversaw a range of critically acclaimed series—from “The Handmaid’s Tale” to “Brooklyn Nine‑Nine.” She later served as the Executive Vice President of Programming at the Disney‑ABC Television Group, where she helped to grow the network’s original content slate and championed initiatives that broadened the diversity of its writers’ rooms and on‑screen talent.

In 2019, Abrego was elected Chair of the Television Academy’s Diversity, Inclusion & Representation Committee, a role she embraced with a focus on data‑driven strategies for expanding representation across all Emmy categories. She was instrumental in the Academy’s “Future of TV” initiative, which sought to amplify the voices of people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ creators through mentorship programs and partnership with the Sundance Institute’s Creative Artists Outreach Program.

First Term Highlights

During her inaugural term as Chair (2023–24), Abrego led a number of high‑profile initiatives. The Academy announced a new “Emmy Scholarship Fund” aimed at supporting under‑represented writers and producers, and she worked with the Academy’s Membership Services Department to streamline the process for new members from independent production companies and streaming platforms.

Perhaps most notably, Abrego played a pivotal role in the Academy’s decision to expand the number of categories for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. By adding a “Best Animated Series (Short Form)” and “Best Reality‑Competition Program” category, the Academy sought to reflect the evolving landscape of television and provide more opportunities for emerging creators.

Abrego also addressed the Academy’s governance structure, advocating for a more transparent voting process. She worked with the Academy’s Board of Trustees to revise the bylaws, ensuring that each member’s vote carries equal weight and that the selection of the Academy’s executive board is grounded in merit and representation rather than seniority alone.

Re‑Election and a Forward‑Looking Agenda

When the vote took place, 91 % of the eligible voting members selected Abrego for a second term, a clear endorsement of her leadership. In a statement issued on the Academy’s website, Abrego thanked her fellow members for their support and reiterated her commitment to “diversity, inclusion, and equity” as the cornerstone of the Academy’s future.

“I am humbled to serve again as Chair of the Television Academy,” Abrego said. “Our industry has seen remarkable progress, but there is still much work to be done. I look forward to working with our talented membership to build an Emmy that reflects the breadth and depth of the stories we tell on screen.”

Her agenda for the upcoming term is already shaping up to be ambitious. Abrego announced plans to launch a “Mentorship for Women of Color” initiative that will connect early‑career writers and directors with senior industry leaders. She also aims to expand the Academy’s partnership with the National Association of Black Journalists and the American Indian Film & Television Alliance, thereby broadening the pipeline of diverse storytelling talent.

In addition, Abrego will spearhead a review of the Emmy nomination criteria to ensure they remain inclusive of emerging platforms and content formats. “The way we create and consume television is changing rapidly,” she said. “Our nomination process must evolve to keep pace with these changes while upholding the standards of excellence that the Emmy represents.”

Industry Reaction

Reactions from the television community were overwhelmingly supportive. A spokesperson for HBO Max, which hosts a growing number of Emmy‑eligible series, praised Abrego’s “deep understanding of the new media ecosystem” and noted that her leadership would “help bridge the gap between traditional broadcast and streaming platforms.” The Directors Guild of America issued a statement acknowledging Abrego’s role in “strengthening the relationship between creative talent and the Academy.”

The Academy’s Executive Committee also highlighted Abrego’s collaborative approach. “She has an exceptional ability to bring people together across departments, unions, and platforms,” said a committee member. “Her focus on data and her willingness to listen to the needs of the community have already produced measurable gains in representation.”

Looking Ahead

The Television Academy’s re‑election of Cris Abrego signals a deliberate push toward greater diversity, inclusion, and technological innovation within the industry’s most celebrated awards. While the Emmy ceremonies are still a few months away, Abrego’s priorities—mentorship, expanded categories, and transparent governance—will shape the Academy’s direction in a time when television is more fragmented and diverse than ever before.

As the television landscape continues to evolve, the Academy’s leadership will be crucial in ensuring that the Emmy Awards continue to reflect the richness of the stories being told and the talent behind them. Abrego’s re‑election brings a proven record of progress and an optimistic vision for the future, positioning the Television Academy to remain a guiding force in an industry that thrives on narrative diversity and creative excellence.