It is awarded annually to the singularly best pre-recorded varietal, musical or comedic special of the year.
It was previously presented as Outstanding Variety Special until it was restructured alongside Outstanding Special Class Program for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards.
[1] The Kennedy Center Honors has won seven awards, including five consecutive wins from 2009 to 2013.
It also won twice for Outstanding Variety Series when the two categories were combined.
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special In 1991, the category was combined as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program.