The opening of Rose Hall, which was part of the Live From Lincoln Center series, featured Wynton Marsalis, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and jazz luminaries such as saxophonist Joe Lovano and vocalist Abbey Lincoln. Candide, which was broadcast on Great Performers, was conducted by Marin Alsop and starred Patti LuPone, Kristin Chenoweth, Stanford Olsen, Paul Groves, and Thomas Allen.

Both broadcasts were nominated in the special-class program category. Nominated in the same category was Lincoln Center's concert production of Stephen Sondheim's Passion, also broadcast on Live From Lincoln Center.

Great Performances' broadcast of Rachel Portman's opera The Little Prince was nominated in the music-direction category. The BBC film, adapted from Houston Grand Opera's world-premiere production, was directed by Francesca Zambello and starred Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Willard White, and Lesley Garrett, as well as child performers Joseph McManners and Mairead Carlin. David Charles Abell conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra and Children's Chorus.

The "Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival," another Great Performances broadcast, was nominated for its technical direction, editing, and sound mixing.