Everybody Loves Raymond was a key winner in 2005

Chairman Dick Askin said changes would "significantly increase the potential for the widest and most diverse selection of nominees possible".

Under the new rules, a panel of experts will pick the five nominees for comedy and drama series from 10 front-runners voted for by academy members.

Hit shows Lost and Everybody Loves Raymond won top honours last year.

Typically, long-running series like The West Wing, The Sopranos and Will & Grace have dominated the Emmy nominations, while less mainstream productions are overlooked.

The West Wing has dominated the TV awards in previous years

Under the previous system, the final five nominees were selected by vote by members of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The new rules will see a panel of TV experts step in to choose the final five from a 10-strong shortlist, in the hope that less well-known shows will be recognised.

In addition, directors and casting executives will join performers in voting for the first round of acting nominees and will have the opportunity to join the panels selecting the final shortlist.

It is the second time the rules have been altered in two years. Awards director John Leverence said the approach "brings a new eclecticism" to the nomination process.