Meta Projects Sweep Emerging Media Emmy Nominations

• All three nominees for Outstanding Emerging Media Program were backed by Meta and created for the Meta Quest platform.
• The projects include Impulse: Playing With Reality, Shawn Mendes: Red Rocks Live In VR, and SNL 50th The Anniversary Special: Immersive Experience.

This year’s Emmy finalists for Outstanding Emerging Media Program all share a common thread: they were developed for Meta Quest and backed by Meta. The three nominated projects reflect the platform’s expanding role in immersive storytelling across art, music, and television in both virtual and mixed reality.

Impulse: Playing With Reality is a 40-minute mixed reality experience that uses interactive environments to depict the challenges of ADHD. Narrated by Tilda Swinton and created by Anagram, the piece immerses viewers in four personal stories while manipulating space, objects, and text to simulate neurological chaos. It continues the award-winning “Playing With Reality” collection with support from Meta VR for Good. The project has also received international recognition, winning the Immersive Achievement Award at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.

In Shawn Mendes: Red Rocks Live In VR, viewers are transported to the famed Colorado amphitheater for a performance of the artist’s full album “SHAWN.” Produced by Dorsey Pictures, Light Sail VR, 7 Cinematics, and Meta, the experience combines live music and intimate moments in 360°, marking Mendes’ return after a two-year hiatus.

The SNL 50th The Anniversary Special: Immersive Experience brings fans behind the scenes of Saturday Night Live’s landmark broadcast in immersive VR. Created for Meta Quest TV, the project offers backstage access, classic sketches, and musical performances in 360°. It was produced by SNL Studios in association with Universal Television, Broadway Video, NBC, Meta, and Light Sail VR.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Recognizing XR at the Emmys is a major step toward legitimizing immersive formats as mainstream creative media. This year’s nods span both VR and MR, and mark a clear win for Meta’s broad content strategy beyond gaming.

Disclosure: Tom Emrich has previously worked with or holds interests in companies mentioned. His commentary is based solely on public information and reflects his personal views.

Source: Television Academy