TCA Awards

Since 1984, the members of the TCA have voted for outstanding achievements in television. As professional consumers of the medium, TV critics are often the first to spot exemplary work in television. Time and again their choices have anticipated later honors from the Emmy and Peabody award panels.

In 2002, the TCA began honoring the iconic figures in TV with its Heritage Award. The TCA Awards are held during the July press tour every year.

Television Critics Association (TCA) Award Winners

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

  • 1996-97 David Hyde Pierce
  • 1997-98 David Hyde Pierce
  • 1998-99 Ray Romano
  • 1999-2000 Jane Kaczmarek
  • 2000-2001 Jane Kaczmarek
  • 2001-02 Bernie Mac
  • 2002-03 Jon Stewart
  • 2003-04 Ricky Gervais
  • 2004-05 Jon Stewart
  • 2005-06 Steve Carell
  • 2006-07 Alec Baldwin
  • 2007-08 Tina Fey
  • 2008-09 Jim Parsons
  • 2009-10 Jane Lynch
  • 2010-11 Ty Burrell/Nick Offerman (tie)
  • 2011-12 Louis C.K.
  • 2012-13 Louis C.K.
  • 2013-14 Julia Louis-Dreyfus
  • 2014-15 Amy Schumer
  • 2015-16 Rachel Bloom
  • 2016-17 Donald Glover
  • 2017-18 Rachel Brosnahan
  • 2018-19 Phoebe Waller-Bridge
  • 2019-20 Catherine O’Hara
  • 2020-21 Jean Smart

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

  • 1996-97 Andre Braugher
  • 1997-98 Andre Braugher
  • 1998-99 James Gandolfini/David E. Kelley (tie)
  • 1999-2000 James Gandolfini
  • 2000-01 James Gandolfini
  • 2001-02 Michael Chiklis
  • 2002-03 Edie Falco
  • 2003-04 Ian McShane
  • 2004-05 Hugh Laurie
  • 2005-06 Hugh Laurie
  • 2006-07 Michael C. Hall
  • 2007-08 Paul Giamatti
  • 2008-09 Bryan Cranston
  • 2009-10 Julianna Margulies
  • 2010-11 Jon Hamm
  • 2011-12 Claire Danes
  • 2012-13 Tatiana Maslany
  • 2013-14 Matthew McConaughey
  • 2014-15 Jon Hamm
  • 2015-16 Sarah Paulson
  • 2016-17 Carrie Coon
  • 2017-18 Keri Russell
  • 2018-19 Michelle Williams
  • 2019-20 Regina King
  • 2020-21 Michaela Coel

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM

  • 1997-98 “Ally McBeal” (Fox)
  • 1998-99 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 1999-2000 “The West Wing” (NBC)
  • 2000-01 “Gilmore Girls” (WB)
  • 2001-02 “24” (Fox)
  • 2002-03 “Boomtown” (NBC)
  • 2003-04 “Arrested Development” (FOX)
  • 2004-05 “Lost” (ABC)
  • 2005-06 “My Name Is Earl” (NBC)
  • 2006-07 “Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
  • 2007-08 “Mad Men” (AMC)
  • 2008-09 “True Blood” (HBO)
  • 2009-10 “Glee” (Fox)
  • 2010-11 “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  • 2011-12 “Homeland” (Showtime)
  • 2012-13 “The Americans” (FX)
  • 2013-14 “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
  • 2014-15 “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
  • 2015-16 “Mr. Robot” (USA)
  • 2016-17 “This is Us” (NBC)
  • 2017-18 “Killing Eve” (BBC America)
  • 2018-19 “Russian Doll” (Netflix)
  • 2019-20 "Watchmen" (HBO)
  • 2020-21 "Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

  • 1984-85 “The Cosby Show” (NBC)
  • 1985-86 “The Cosby Show” (NBC)
  • 1986-87 “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” (Showtime)
  • 1987-88 “Frank’s Place”(CBS) & “The Wonder Years”(ABC)
  • 1988-89 “Murphy Brown” (CBS)
  • 1989-90 “The Simpsons” (FOX)
  • 1990-91 “Murphy Brown” (CBS)
  • 1991-92 “Seinfeld” (NBC)
  • 1992-93 “Seinfeld” (NBC)
  • 1993-94 “Frasier” (NBC)
  • 1994-95 “Frasier” (NBC)
  • 1995-96 “Frasier” (NBC)
  • 1996-97 “The Larry Sanders Show” (HBO)
  • 1997-98 “The Larry Sanders Show” (HBO)
  • 1998-99 “Sports Night” (ABC)
  • 1999-2000 “Malcolm In The Middle” (FOX)
  • 2000-01 “Malcolm In The Middle” (FOX)
  • 2001-02 “The Bernie Mac Show” (Fox)
  • 2002-03 “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
  • 2003-04 “Arrested Development” (FOX)
  • 2004-05 “Arrested Development” (FOX)
  • 2005-06 “The Office” (NBC)
  • 2006-07 “The Office” (NBC)
  • 2007-08 “30 Rock” (NBC)
  • 2008-09 “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
  • 2009-10 “Modern Family” (ABC)
  • 2010-11 “Modern Family” (ABC)
  • 2011-12 “Louie” (FX)
  • 2012-13 (Tie) “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) and “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
  • 2013-14 (Tie) “Veep” (HBO) and “Louie” (FX)
  • 2014-15 “Inside Amy Schumer” (Comedy Central)
  • 2015-16 “Black-ish” (ABC)
  • 2016-17 “Atlanta” (FX)
  • 2017-18 “The Good Place” (NBC)
  • 2018-19 “Fleabag” (Amazon)
  • 2019-20 "Schitt's Creek" (Pop TV)
  • 2020-21 "Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

  • 1984-85 “The Jewel In The Crown” (PBS)
  • 1985-86 “Death Of A Salesman” (CBS)
  • 1986-87 “L.A. Law” (NBC)
  • 1987-88 “St. Elsewhere” (NBC)
  • 1988-89 ”Lonesome Dove” (CBS)
  • 1989-90 “Twin Peaks” (ABC)
  • 1990-91 “Thirtysomething” (ABC)
  • 1991-92 “I’ll Fly Away” (NBC)
  • 1992-93 “I’ll Fly Away” (NBC)
  • 1993-94 “NYPD Blue” (ABC)
  • 1994-95 “My So-Called Life” (ABC)
  • 1995-96 “Homicide: Life on the Street” (NBC)
  • 1996-97 “Homicide: Life on the Street” (NBC)
  • 1997-98 “Homicide: Life on the Street” (NBC)
  • 1998-99 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 1999-2000 “The West Wing” (NBC)
  • 2000-01 “The Sopranos” (HBO)/”The West Wing” (NBC) tie
  • 2001-02 “Six Feet Under” (HBO)
  • 2002-03 “Boomtown” (NBC)
  • 2003-04 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 2004-05 “Lost” (ABC)
  • 2005-06 “Lost” (ABC)
  • 2006-07 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 2007-08 “Mad Men” (AMC)
  • 2008-09 “Mad Men” (AMC)
  • 2009-10 “Breaking Bad” (AMC)/”Lost” (ABC) (tie)
  • 2010-11 “Mad Men” (AMC)
  • 2011-12 “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  • 2012-13 “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  • 2013-14 “The Good Wife” (CBS)
  • 2014-15 “The Americans” (FX)
  • 2015-16 “The Americans” (FX) – second consecutive year
  • 2016-17 “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
  • 2017-18 “The Americans” (FX)
  • 2018-19 “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
  • 2019-20 "Succession" (HBO)
  • 2020-21 "The Crown" (Netflix)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS & INFORMATION

  • 1984-85 Ted Koppel, “Nightline” (ABC)
  • 1985-86 Ted Koppel, “Nightline” (ABC) and Bill Moyers, “Crisis in Black America” (CBS)
  • 1986-87 “Eyes on the Prize” (PBS)
  • 1987-88 “Nightline” (ABC) & Cable News Network
  • 1988-89 CNN
  • 1989-90 CNN
  • 1990-91 CNN, Persian Gulf War Coverage
  • 1991-92 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 1992-93 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 1993-94 “Nightline” (ABC)
  • 1994-95 “Frontline” (PBS) & “Nightline” (ABC)
  • 1995-96 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 1996-97 “The American Experience” (PBS)
  • 1997-98 “The American Experience” (PBS)
  • 1998-99 “The Cold War” (CNN)
  • 1999-2000 “ABC 2000”
  • 2000-01 “Jazz” (PBS)
  • 2001-02 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 2002-03 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 2003-04 “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
  • 2004-05 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 2005-06 “Frontline” (PBS)
  • 2006-07 “Planet Earth” (Discovery)
  • 2007-08 “The War: A Film by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick” (PBS)
  • 2008-09 “The Alzheimer’s Project” (HBO)
  • 2009-10 “Life” (Discovery)
  • 2010-11 “Restrepo” (National Geographic Channel)
  • 2011-12 “60 Minutes” (CBS)
  • 2012-13 “The Central Park Five” (PBS)
  • 2013-14 “COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey” (Fox/National Geographic Channel)
  • 2014-15 “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO)
  • 2015-16 “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS)
  • 2016-17 “O.J.: Made in America” (ESPN)
  • 2017-18 “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (CNN)
  • 2018-19 “Leaving Neverland” (HBO)
  • 2019-20 "The Last Dance" (ESPN)
  • 2020-21 "Framing Britney Spears" (FX)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VARIETY, TALK, OR SKETCH

  • 2017-18 “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” (HBO)
  • 2018-19 “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” (HBO)
  • 2019-20 "A Black Lady Sketch Show" (HBO)
  • 2020-21 “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” (HBO)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINI-SERIES & SPECIALS

  • 1984-85 “The Burning Bed” (ABC)
  • 1985-86 “Live-Aid”
  • 1986-87 “Robin Williams At The Met” (PBS)
  • 1987-88 “Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam” (HBO)
  • 1988-89 “What’s Alan Watching?” (CBS)
  • 1989-90 “Sammy Davis Jr. Salute” (ABC)
  • 1990-91 “The Civil War” (PBS)
  • 1991-92 “Billy Crystal, Academy Awards” (ABC)
  • 1992-93 “Fallen Champ: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson” (NBC)
  • 1993-94 “Prime Suspect 3” (PBS)
  • 1994-95 “Baseball” (PBS)
  • 1995-96 “Pride & Prejudice” (A&E)
  • 1996-97 “Bastard Out of Carolina” (Showtime)
  • 1997-98 “From the Earth to the Moon” (HBO)
  • 1998-99 “Joan of Arc” (CBS)
  • 1999-2000 “The Corner” (HBO
  • 2000-01 “Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows” (ABC)
  • 2001-02 “Band of Brothers” (HBO)
  • 2002-03 “Taken” (Sci-Fi)
  • 2003-04 “Angels In America” (HBO)
  • 2004-05 “The Office Special” (BBC America)
  • 2005-06 “American Masters: Bob Dylan: No Direction Home” (PBS)
  • 2006-07 “Planet Earth” (Discovery)
  • 2007-08 “John Adams” (HBO)
  • 2008-09 “Grey Gardens” (HBO)
  • 2009-10 “The Pacific” (HBO)
  • 2010-11 “Masterpiece: Sherlock” (PBS)
  • 2011-12 “Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
  • 2012-13 “Behind the Candelabra” (HBO)
  • 2013-14 “True Detective” (HBO)
  • 2014-15 “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” (HBO)
  • 2015-16 “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)
  • 2016-17 “Big Little Lies” (HBO)
  • 2017-18 “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” (FX)
  • 2018-19 "Chernobyl" (HBO)
  • 2019-20 "Watchmen" (HBO)
  • 2020-21 "Mare of Easttown" (HBO)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING

  • 1984-85 “Faerie Tale Theatre” (Showtime)
  • 1985-86 “Wonderworks” (PBS)
  • 1986-87 “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” (PBS)
  • 1987-88 “Degrassi Junior High” (PBS)
  • 1988-89 “The Jim Henson Hour” (NBC)
  • 1989-90 Jim Henson
  • 1990-91 “War in the Gulf: Questions & Answers with Peter Jennings” (ABC)
  • 1991-92 Peggy Charren, Action for Children’s Television
  • 1992-93 Linda Ellerbee (Nickelodeon)
  • 1993-94 Linda Ellerbee Specials (Nickelodeon)
  • 1994-95 Nick News (Nickelodeon)
  • 1995-96 “Wishbone” (PBS)
  • 1996-97 “Wishbone” (PBS) & “Bill Nye the Science Guy” (PBS)
  • 1997-98 “Blue’s Clues” (Nickelodeon)
  • 1998-99 “Blue’s Clues” (Nickelodeon)
  • 1999-2000 “Between The Lions” (PBS)
  • 2000-01 “Between The Lions” (PBS)/”Sesame Street” (PBS) tie
  • 2001-02 “Spongebob Squarepants” (Nickelodeon)
  • 2002-03 “Reading Rainbow” (PBS)
  • 2003-04 “Nick News” (Nickelodeon)
  • 2004-05 “Degrassi: The Next Generation (The N)
  • 2005-06 “High School Musical” (Disney Channel)
  • 2006-07 “Kyle XY” (ABC Family)
  • 2007-08 “WordGirl” (PBS)
  • 2008-09 “Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)
  • 2009-10 “Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)
  • 2010-11 “Sesame Street” (PBS)
  • 2011-12 “Switched at Birth” (ABC Family)
  • 2012-13 “Bunheads” (ABC Family)
  • 2013-14 “The Fosters” (ABC Family)
  • 2014-15 “The Fosters” (ABC Family)
  • 2015-16 “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS)”
  • 2016-17 “Speechless” (ABC)
  • 2017-18 “Sesame Street” (HBO)
  • 2018-19 “Arthur” (PBS Kids)
  • 2019-20 "Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)
  • 2020-21 "The Baby-Sitters Club" (Netflix)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMMING

  • 2010-11 “Amazing Race” (CBS)
  • 2011-12 “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox)
  • 2012-13 “Shark Tank” (ABC)
  • 2013-14 “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (Logo)
  • 2014-15 “The Chair” (Starz)
  • 2015-16 “Making A Murderer” (Netflix)
  • 2016-17 “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” (A&E)
  • 2017-18 “Queer Eye” (Netflix)
  • 2018-19 “Queer Eye” (Netflix)
  • 2019-20 "Cheer" (Netflix)
  • 2020-21 Tie: "Couples Therapy" (Showtime) and "Deaf U" (Netflix)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SPORTS

  • 1984-85 Los Angeles Summer Olympics Coverage (ABC)
  • 1985-86 No award given
  • 1986-87 America’s Cup Coverage (ESPN)
  • 1987-88 1988 Winter Olympic Coverage (ABC)
  • 1988-89 1988 Summer Olympic Coverage (NBC)
  • 1989-90 1989 World Series (ABC)
  • 1990-91 NCAA Final Four (CBS)
  • 1991-92 “When It Was a Game” (HBO)
  • 1992-93 Bob Costas
  • 1993-94 1994 Winter Olympic Coverage (CBS)
  • 1994-95 “Baseball” (PBS)
  • 1995-96 “SportsCenter” (ESPN)
  • 1996-97 “SportsCenter” (ESPN)

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

  • 1984-85 “The Jewel in the Crown” (PBS)
  • 1985-86 “Death of a Salesman” & “Crisis in Black America” (CBS)
  • 1986-87 “Eyes on the Prize” (PBS)
  • 1987-88 “Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam” (HBO)
  • 1988-89 “Lonesome Dove” (CBS)
  • 1989-90 “Twin Peaks” (ABC)
  • 1990-91 “The Civil War” (PBS)
  • 1991-92 “Northern Exposure” (CBS)
  • 1992-93 “Barbarians at the Gate” (HBO)
  • 1993-94 “The Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS)
  • 1994-95 “ER” (NBC)
  • 1995-96 “Homicide: Life on the Street” (NBC)
  • 1996-97 “EZ Streets” (CBS)
  • 1997-98 “From the Earth to the Moon” (HBO)
  • 1998-99 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 1999-2000 “The West Wing” (NBC)
  • 2000-01 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 2001-02 “24” (Fox)
  • 2002-03 “American Idol” (Fox)
  • 2003-04 “Angels In America” (HBO)
  • 2004-05 “Desperate Housewives” (ABC)
  • 2005-06 “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
  • 2006-07 “Heroes” (NBC)
  • 2007-08 “Mad Men” (AMC)
  • 2008-09 “Battlestar Galactica” (Syfy)
  • 2009-10 “Glee” (Fox)
  • 2010-11 “Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV/NBC)
  • 2011-12 “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  • 2012-13 “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  • 2013-14 “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  • 2014-15 “Empire” (Fox)
  • 2015-16 “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)
  • 2016-17 “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
  • 2017-18 “The Americans” (FX)
  • 2018-19 “Fleabag” (Amazon)
  • 2019-20 "Watchmen" (HBO)
  • 2020-21 "Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+)

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

  • 1984-85 Grant Tinker, Chairman, NBC
  • 1985-86 Walter Cronkite, CBS News
  • 1986-87 “Hill Street Blues” (NBC)
  • 1987-88 David Brinkley, ABC News
  • 1988-89 Lucille Ball
  • 1989-90 Jim Henson
  • 1990-91 Brandon Tartikoff, President, NBC Entertainment
  • 1991-92 Johnny Carson
  • 1992-93 Bob Hope
  • 1993-94 Charles Kuralt
  • 1994-95 Ted Turner
  • 1995-96 Angela Lansbury
  • 1996-97 Fred Rogers
  • 1997-98 Roone Arledge
  • 1998-99 Norman Lear
  • 1999-2000 Dick Van Dyke
  • 2000-01 Sid Caesar
  • 2001-02 Bill Cosby* (rescinded in 2018)
  • 2002-03 Carl Reiner
  • 2003-04 Don Hewitt
  • 2004-05 Bob Newhart
  • 2005-06 Carol Burnett
  • 2006-07 Mary Tyler Moore
  • 2007-08 Lorne Michaels
  • 2008-09 Betty White
  • 2009-10 James Garner
  • 2010-11 Oprah Winfrey
  • 2011-12 David Letterman
  • 2012-13 Barbara Walters
  • 2013-14 James Burrows
  • 2014-15 James L. Brooks
  • 2015-16 Lily Tomlin
  • 2016-17 Ken Burns
  • 2017-18 Rita Moreno
  • 2018-19 David Milch
  • 2019-20 Alex Trebek
  • 2020-21 Jean Smart

HERITAGE AWARD

  • 2001-02 “The Simpsons” (Fox)
  • 2002-03 “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (The WB/UPN)
  • 2003-04 “60 Minutes” (CBS)
  • 2004-05 “Nightline” (ABC)
  • 2005-06 “The West Wing” (NBC)
  • 2006-07 “The Sopranos” (HBO)
  • 2007-08 “The Wire” (HBO)
  • 2008-09 “ER” (NBC)
  • 2009-10 “M*A*S*H*” (CBS)
  • 2010-11 “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (CBS)
  • 2011-12 “Cheers” (NBC)
  • 2012-13 “All in the Family” (CBS)
  • 2013-14 “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
  • 2014-15 “Late Show/Late Night with David Letterman” (CBS/NBC)
  • 2015-16 “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (CBS)
  • 2016-17 “Seinfeld” (NBC)
  • 2017-18 “Friends” NBC
  • 2018-19 “Deadwood” (HBO)
  • 2019-20 "Star Trek" (NBC/ViacomCBS)
  • 2020-21 "The Golden Girls" (NBC)