With the FYC campaigns for the Emmys in full swing, several of YouTube’s biggest shows have thrown their hats in the ring for nominations. While this may not be the first time that exclusively online shows have sought recognition from the Television Academy, both YouTube’s increasing dominance in the entertainment space and the caliber of its top-tier creators make for the strongest argument yet for including online video alongside TV and streaming shows.

The shows in question include the chicken-centric interview shows "Hot Ones" and "Chicken Shop Date," the variety show "Good Mythical Morning" from veteran YouTube duo Rhett & Link, and several programs from the independent streaming service Dropout (formerly the first-generation YouTube channel CollegeHumor). With millions of subscribers and even more views, these shows certainly amass enough fandom to put them on par with most conventional TV shows.

The creator economy was also endorsed by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan in a guest column for the Hollywood Reporter last week: “Creators are defining a new era of entertainment. And they deserve the same praise as other creative professionals,” he wrote, specifically citing “Hot Ones,” “Good Mythical Morning” and Michelle Khare’s “Challenge Accepted” as examples of the platform’s exemplary content.

While YouTube has yet to submit anything directly for Emmy consideration, its vocal support for the creators who have is a sign of a shift in its position within the broader entertainment industry. For much of YouTube’s existence, the ultimate calling for YouTubers has been to leave the site behind and cross over into the mainstream. And some creators have succeeded in doing just that, branching out into other ventures, launching companies, and even making full-fledged films or animated series.