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Netflix gatecrashes Emmys

The Emmys has recognised web content for the first time, handing US-based video-on-demand platform Netflix a total of 14 nominations for its original series.

The streaming service’s high-profile political drama House of Cards received nine nominations, with its leads Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright up for best actor and best actress respectively.

The US$50m series is also nominated in the coveted best drama category, alongside Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Mad Men and Homeland. None of the main broadcast networks had shows nominated in this category.

Meanwhile, Jason Bateman is up for best lead actor in a comedy for his performance in the cult show Arrested Development, which was snubbed in the best comedy category. Netflix brought the series back earlier this year for a fourth season after it was cancelled by Fox in 2006.

“It’s really groundbreaking. It’s beyond our most bold expectations. We were thinking a single nomination would be a win. It’s as much a win for internet television as it is for the content creators,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix.

2013 has seen the VoD service follow through with its aggressive push into original content, also launching series such as Hemlock Grove and Orange Is the New Black.

Spacey told the Associated Press: “It is a great thing because more shows will get produced, more writers will get hired, more actors will get hired, more directors will get hired, more production will happen in this industry, and that’s a good thing economically as well as artistically.”

Cable network FX’s miniseries American Horror Story: Asylum received the most Emmy nominations, in a total of 17 categories.

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