It was created by the National Cable Television Association to serve as a cable television counterpart to the Primetime Emmy Awards , which , before their 40th ceremony in 1988 , did not recognize cable programming . The actual trophy was a large trophy made of glass blown and cut into the shape of the Ace of Spades . By 1997 , the Emmys had long included cable television programming , making the CableACEs redundant . In April 1998 , NCTA members voted to end the ceremony as cable programming began to meet parity , and eventually to the present day , overtake broadcast competition within the categories of the Primetime Emmys
40th ceremony
40th Primetime Emmy Awards
CableACE Award