Everything You Need to Know About The Streamy Awards

UPDATE: Watch them live with us here at at 7:30 PM PT/10:30 PM ET

Attention all Internet enthusiasts! The Streamy Awards are back in full swing this Sunday for their fourth year in a row. I know many of you may be scratching your heads thinking, Streamy Awards?. So, let’s crack open our Award Show dictionary and clear this up. The Streamy Awards (or “Streamys”) are an award show honoring original online video programming and the creatives behind it. Basically, anything you see online—cover songs, comedy sketches, web series, fashion vlogs, even creative Vine accounts—are being honored. As an Internet junkie myself, it’s refreshing to see that all the beautiful, creative and hilarious content is finally being recognized outside of its natural habitat (cyberspace). Now, before we dive into our Streamy Sunday, there are a few things we ought to cover:

The first ever ICON Awards will be presented

Before Sunday night’s show, The Streamy ICON Award will be presented to four individuals this year: Pitbull, Tyler Oakley, Michelle Phan and Shay Carl. The Streamy ICON Award honors their accomplishments and leadership in online video and entertainment. And while all four of these individuals have used digital media platforms for something powerful, they’ll be celebrated for their own, individual achievements. If you’re not already familiar with these four people, we’ve got you covered:

Pitbull – Convergence

I know what you’re thinking: Pitbull? Shouldn’t he be swooping up a Grammy? Sure, Pitbull is famous for his music, but he’s no one trick pony. His new production company, Honey I’m Home, teamed up with Endemol North America to produce original, creative content for both television and the digital platform. He also helped launch the eMerge Americas conference in Miami. Who knew? I guess a lot of people.

Taylor Oakley – Activism

Tyler Oakley is not only a popular YouTube personality but is perhaps the most visible advocate of LGBT youth in recent memory. With over 5 million subscribers and 300 videos, Tyler’s fan base is growing by the day and, as usual, Tyler’s using it for good. According the The Streamy’s official site, “His work with The Trevor Project has helped the organization raise over a half a million dollars, making him their highest individual fundraiser to date”. Tyler has already been recognized by the Teen Choice Awards, and will now be awarded a Streamy ICON Award. Suffice to say, it is much deserved. In the meantime, you can catch Tyler on his YouTube channel or tune into his weekly podcast, “Psychobabble“.

Michelle Phan – Inspiration

You may know Michelle Phan from her mind blowing makeup tutorials (like this Lady Gaga one), but her prowess reaches far beyond the vlogosphere. Last year, she teamed up with L’Oreal to launch a new cosmetic line called EM Cosmetics by Michelle Phan. And, like Pitbull, Michelle is set to design original digital content with Endemol USA. As if that’s not enough to work with, Michelle is also the founder and executive producer for FAWN (For All Women Network) on YouTube. Oh yeah, and she’s also releasing a book in October called Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style and Success. Having said all that, she should be getting an award for inspiration and motivation.

Shay Carl – Entrepreneurship

Shay Carl took an enormous risk when he left Idaho to move to Los Angeles to build what the Streamy Awards call a “media empire.” And what a media empire he has created. Thanks to all of his YouTube success on his channel, SHAYTARDS, Shay is one of the co-founders of the digital network, Maker Studios. Since Disney acquired the company for $500 million dollars, Shay’s continued success is indicative of digital media’s promising future.

The pre-show winners:

There have already been quite a few pre-live winners announced this past Wednesday, and some big names made their way onto the list. Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee won for Best Non-Fiction Series, Zach Galifianakis and President Obama (seriously) won for Best Collaboration for their work on Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon nabbed the award of Best Television Show. You can check out the full list of other pre-live winners right here.

The rest of the nominees:

Even though quite a few pre- show winners have been announced, the winners of Sunday’s live show still remain to be seen. Here are the rest of your Streamy Award nominees:

Best Comedy Channel, Show or Series Overall Jenna Marbles My Drunk Kitchen MyMusic Ryan Higa Smosh Viner of the Year Brittany Furlan Cameron Dallas King Bach Lele Pons Marcus Johns Best Drama Series Chosen Lauren Mortal Kombat: Legacy II Storytellers The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Best Beauty Channel, Show or Series cutepolish eleventhgorgeous Kandee Johnson Michelle Phan Missglamorazzi Best Fashion Channel, Show or Series Bethany Mota Intersection Lauren Curtis Maiah Ocando Zoella Best Action and Sci-Fi Channel, Show or Series Action Movie Kid Corridor Digital Mortal Kombat: Legacy II Red vs. Blue Video Game High School Best Gaming Channel, Show or Series PewDiePie Smosh Games SourceFed Nerd Table Top Best Kids and Family Channel, Show or Series Convos With My 2-Year-Old Fatherhood Kid President Kids React Shaytards Best Original Song “#LEH” – Superwoman and Humble the Poet “Airplanes and Terminals” – Timonthy DeLaGhetto “Love Again” – Pentatonix “Never Wanna Let You Go” – Megan Nicole “Whistle While I Work It” – Chester See Best News and Current Events Channel, Show or Series Huffpost Live Op-Docs Retro Report Source Fed YouTube Nation

Where to watch:

Staying true to a digital format, the Streamy Awards will be streamed from the show’s website right here. It all goes down on Sunday at 7:30 PM, Pacific Time. Prepare for some unscripted moments and lots of familiar faces. Performers and presenters include Pentatonix, Starship, Lass Bass(yay!), Heather MacDonald and Saved By the Bell’s Lark Voorhies. And did we mention who’s hosting the whole thing? YouTube she-ros, best friends and all around funny people—Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart. Bring it. (All images via The Streamy Awards)