The Television Academy unveiled the highly anticipated nominations for the 2026 Emmy Awards on Tuesday morning, revealing a competitive lineup of shows and performers vying for television’s highest honors. This year’s announcement also came with significant changes to the ceremony format that have sparked conversation throughout the entertainment industry.
Among the most notable shifts is the introduction of a new streaming-focused category that recognizes excellence in limited series produced exclusively for digital platforms. The Academy has also expanded the Outstanding Drama and Comedy Series categories to include up to ten nominees each, reflecting the unprecedented volume of quality content being produced across traditional networks and streaming services alike.
Leading the pack in nominations are several critically acclaimed series that dominated viewer conversations over the past year. HBO and Netflix emerged as the top networks in total nominations, though Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video made significant gains compared to previous years. The acting categories feature a diverse mix of veteran performers and breakthrough talents, showcasing the industry’s evolving landscape.
Television Academy Chairman Mark Reynolds addressed the changes during a press conference following the announcement. “These modifications reflect our commitment to honoring the best in television while acknowledging how dramatically the medium has transformed,” Reynolds stated. “We believe these updates will make the Emmy Awards more inclusive and representative of what audiences are actually watching.”
The 2026 Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in September at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on ABC and will be available for streaming the following day. Industry experts predict this year’s ceremony will draw heightened interest given the competitive nature of the nominations and the newly implemented format changes.
