NASA+ and Dr. Tom Leighton Honored at 76th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards

On December 4, 2025, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) hosted the 76th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City, celebrating significant technological advancements in television and media production.

NASA+ was honored with the "Excellence in Production Technology" Emmy for its live coverage of the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse. The broadcast provided audiences worldwide with expert commentary, multiple telescope views, and opportunities for citizen science engagement, allowing a global audience to experience the rare celestial event. Walt Lindblom, the coordinating producer, and Sami Aziz, the executive producer, accepted the award on behalf of NASA. Will Boyington, associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters, remarked, "By broadcasting the total solar eclipse, this team brought joy and wonder for our Sun, Moon, and Earth to viewers across America and the world."

Dr. Tom Leighton, co-founder and CEO of Akamai Technologies, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Leighton holds over 50 patents in content delivery, internet protocols, cryptography, and digital rights management. Under his leadership, Akamai has developed a distributed computing platform that delivers and secures tens of millions of requests per second to billions of users globally. This recognition underscores his significant contributions to advancing internet technology and media distribution.

The event, hosted by David Pogue, celebrated technological innovations that have significantly impacted television and media production. NATAS President & CEO Adam Sharp and Technology & Engineering Committee Chair Joe Inzerillo praised the honorees for their contributions to advancing the industry.

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, was a significant astronomical event visible across North America. The path of totality spanned from Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Maine, and into Canada. NASA's comprehensive coverage included live broadcasts on NASA+, the agency’s website, and the NASA app, beginning at 1 p.m. EDT. The broadcast featured expert commentary, live demonstrations, and multiple telescope feeds, providing an immersive experience for viewers worldwide.

The recognition of NASA's broadcast underscores the growing importance of accessible scientific communication and public engagement in astronomy. By leveraging advanced production technologies, NASA successfully brought a complex astronomical event to a global audience, fostering a greater appreciation for space science. Similarly, honoring Dr. Leighton highlights the critical role of internet infrastructure in modern media consumption, emphasizing the need for robust and secure content delivery networks in an increasingly digital world.

The 76th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards highlighted the critical role of technological advancements in enhancing media production and distribution, reflecting the industry's ongoing evolution.