Netflix online drama 'House of Cards' makes Emmy history; show delivered online only in US, not on TV

THE Netflix online series House of Cards has made Emmy history, becoming the first show to earn nods despite never airing on US TV.

NETFLIX'S House of Cards has made Emmy history with a top drama series nomination, the first time that US television's leading awards have recognised a program delivered online as equal in quality to the best that TV has to offer.

The political intrigue saga received a best drama series nomination Thursday. It's the first top Emmy nod for a program delivered online, not on TV. While the show aired on TV in Australia, American viewers could only watch it online via a subscription to online streaming service Netflix.

The nomination, one of nine nods earned by the political thriller, is a marker in the unfolding revolution in how we get and watch video entertainment.

The most Emmy nominations, 17, went to American Horror Story: Asylum. Close behind was Game of Thrones with 16 nods, while Saturday Night Live and the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra earned 15 nominations each.

House of Cards stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright received acting bids, along with a number of other primarily big-screen actors who have migrated to TV for powerhouse projects, such as Douglas and Damon.

Congrats all on HoC's 9 Emmy nods!. Crew are the best. @RealRobinWright is awesome. @BeauWillimon writes brilliantly & I am proud & honored!

— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) July 18, 2013

Another Netflix series, Arrested Development, didn't earn a best comedy series but scored three nominations, including one for star Jason Bateman. The show aired for three seasons on TV before Netflix revived the cult comedy for an online-only fourth season this year.

Joining House of Cards and Game of Thrones in the best drama series category are Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Mad Men and last year's winner, Homeland.

The love this morning has been unreal. Thank you so much for the undying support for me and for Breaking Bad. Love u all. #Emmys

— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) July 18, 2013

Mad Men, which last year missed out on the best drama trophy that would have been its record-setting fifth, eclipsing fellow four-time winners Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law and The West Wing, gets another shot this year.

The major broadcast networks were shut out of the prestigious category, a repeat of last year and a particular blow with the entry of Netflix's streamed drama.

In the comedy series category, nominees are The Big Bang Theory, Girls, Louie, Modern Family, Veep and 30 Rock, recognised for its final season. Another outgoing comedy, The Office, didn't receive a best series nod.

Nominated for an emmy!!!!!!!!!!!

— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) July 18, 2013

Six years ago, the TV academy changed the rules to allow online entries to compete with cable and broadcast programs, although so far Iinternet shows have popped up only in lower-profile categories. That changed with the 65th Primetime Emmys.

Gracias to Modern Family,to my cast ,to my fans!!!! Celebrating in Mykonos! http://t.co/syCbroMJTf

— Sofia Vergara (@SofiaVergara) July 18, 2013

"It certainly is a marker of the new era...It will send shock waves through the industry," said Tim Brooks, a TV historian and former network executive, predicted on the eve of the nominations.

They were announced by Aaron Paul, a previous Emmy winner for Breaking Bad and nominated again this year, and, in a surprise, Emmy host Neil Patrick Harris. He filled in for House of Cards actress Kate Mara, kept in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by a plane's mechanical malfunction.

Patrick, an in-demand emcee, earned his own Emmy bid for hosting this year's Broadway's Tony Awards.

Thank you SO much for the lovely Emmy tweets. Very grateful and happy. Now back to work making more things with my TV family.

— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 18, 2013

Joining Spacey in the contest for best drama series actor are Hugh Bonneville of Downton Abbey; Jon Hamm of Mad Men; Jeff Daniels of The Newsroom and Damian Lewis of Homeland, last year's winner.

Kevin Bacon, one of the big-screen stars trying their hand at TV, was not recognised in the category for The Following.

Actresses nominated for their drama series work besides Wright include Vera Farmiga of Bates Hotel; Michelle Dockery of Downtown Abbey; Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men; Connie Britton of Nashville; Kerry Washington of Scandal; and last year's winner, Claire Danes from Homeland.

I cannot thank you guys enough for all the #emmy nom CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Each and every tweet!!!!! #Surreal

— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) July 18, 2013

The Emmys will take place in Los Angeles on September 22.