It is awarded annually to the best variety show or similarly formatted program of the year.
The award is sometimes known by other names, such as “Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program” and “Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series.” From 1979 to 1989 and in 1991, variety series and specials competed together.
Single programs dominated as winners during this time until the Outstanding Variety Special category was formed.
Since 1994, all of the winners in this category have been late-night talk shows, except in 1997.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart won the award for ten years consecutively (2003–2012), the longest winning streak for a television show in Primetime Emmy Award history.