The 2026 Emmy Awards are set to be a spectacle, with the Television Academy unveiling the nominations for its 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Wednesday. The fun began early, with the reveal of nominees for the newly constructed Outstanding Variety Series and Outstanding Reality Competition Program on NBC's Today. The rest of the nominations will be unveiled at 8:30 a.m. PT in a ceremony co-hosted by The Bear's Liza Colón-Zayas and Somebody Somewhere's Jeff Hiller, both past winners. The ceremony will be hosted by network icon Mariska Hargitay, who begins her 28th season as star of Law & Order: SVU in the fall. The winners will be feted on Monday, September 14, shifting from the usual Sunday slot due to an NFL game on NBC. The ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The list of nominees includes:
Outstanding Variety Series
- The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
- Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO Max)
- The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)
- Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
- Dancing With the Stars (ABC)
- RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV)
- Survivor (CBS)
- Top Chef (Bravo)
- The Traitors (Peacock)
Drama Series Categories
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Limited or Anthology Series Categories
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
The ceremony promises to be a celebration of the best in television, with a mix of familiar favorites and new contenders. However, it's worth noting that some programs that one might expect to get Emmy noms aren't eligible this year for various reasons, including heated rivalries and the aftermath of office romance and bear-related incidents. The 2026 Emmys will be a testament to the diversity and creativity of the small screen, with a focus on the art of storytelling and the impact it has on audiences worldwide.
