Broadcast networks have long lost their dominance at the Emmys, with this year’s nominations underscoring their diminished role. ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” is the sole broadcast contender in the major drama, comedy, and limited/anthology series categories.
“Abbott” secured nominations for outstanding comedy series, lead actress (Quinta Brunson), supporting comedy actress (Janelle James), and supporting comedy actor (Tyler James Williams).
Looking at the complete list of Emmy nominees, only seven live-action scripted broadcast primetime shows received recognition: “Abbott,” “FBI,” “The Neighborhood,” “The Rookie,” “Shifting Gears,” “Stumble,” and “Will Trent.”
The scarcity of broadcast nominations is part of ongoing discussions between the TV Academy and networks as their “wheel deal” with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC approaches its end. A new licensing agreement for the Emmy ceremony is in the works. (The “road block” simulcast proposal is reportedly gaining support!) Here are some intriguing facts and peculiarities from the 2026 Emmy nominations.
KEEP IT SHORT: Several performers stand out this year with multiple Emmy nominations: Jason Bateman for “Black Rabbit” and “DTF St. Louis,” Matthew Rhys for “Widow’s Bay” and “The Beast in Me,” Colman Domingo for “The Four Seasons” and “Euphoria,” Laurie Metcalf for “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” and “Hacks,” and Nick Offerman for “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” and “Death by Lightning.” Martin Short achieved a rare trio of nominations: lead comedy actor for “Only Murders in the Building,” game show host for “Match Game,” and as the subject of the documentary “Marty, Life Is Short,” nominated for documentary or nonfiction special.
TALK BUDDIES: Despite their on-air competition, late-night hosts have developed camaraderie, even supporting each other’s Emmy pursuits. Last year, Jimmy Kimmel campaigned for Stephen Colbert, and now Colbert can reciprocate as “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is nominated in two categories—production design and lighting design/lighting direction—for an episode featuring Colbert and Seth Meyers as guests.
CANCELED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Although NBC’s “Stumble” is no longer on air, it outperformed many current broadcast shows, earning a nomination for scripted programming choreography. Other canceled series receiving nods include Peacock’s “Ponies” and “Poker Face,” Prime Video’s “Gen V,” and Apple TV’s “Palm Royale,” which garnered eight nominations. “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” received a series-best nine nominations, even as CBS ended the top-rated late-night show.
DIRECTING HISTORY: Salli Richardson-Whitfield made history as the first Black woman to earn two nominations in the outstanding directing in a drama series category. She received nods for HBO Max’s “The Gilded Age” episode “My Mind Is Made Up” and “Task” episode “Out Beyond Ideas of Wrongdoing and Rightdoing, There Is a River.”
NOT SO BAD: “The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny” received nine nominations, setting a record for a Super Bowl halftime show, surpassing Lady Gaga’s six in 2017. Additionally, Bad Bunny was nominated for his guest host role on “Saturday Night Live” in the makeup category for a variety/nonfiction/reality program.
TWO BUNNIES?: The nominee credit for “The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show” initially listed both “Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, producer” and “Bad Bunny, performer,” despite being the same person. The TV Academy has since merged the credits to “Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio/Bad Bunny, producer/performer.” If the program wins, he will receive just one Emmy.
’MOUNT THIS: The “South Park” episode “Sermon on the ’Mount,” which took aim at Paramount Global and its concessions to the Trump administration following the company’s acquisition by Skydance, earned two nominations. This exceeded the single nomination achieved by the Paramount+ streamer.
HAPPY CENTENNIAL: David Attenborough, nominated for outstanding narrator for both Netflix’s “A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough” and Nat Geo’s “Ocean With David Attenborough,” is now the oldest Primetime Emmy nominee. He surpasses Norman Lear, who was 99 years and 11 months old at his nomination in 2022.
STOLEN VIDEO VALOR: MTV received 11 Emmy nominations split between “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked.” However, the “2025 MTV Video Music Awards,” nominated for outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming, was credited to CBS as the lead broadcaster, thereby adding the VMAs to CBS’s tally instead of MTV’s.
THROUGH THE YEARS: Voters for outstanding period costumes can choose from a variety of eras, including “Bridgerton” (1810s), “The Gilded Age” (1880s), “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (1950s), “Palm Royale” (1960s), and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” (1990s).
AVA FEST: An interesting coincidence at the Emmys is Janelle James’s nomination for her role as Ava Coleman on “Abbot Elementary,” while the real Ava Coleman is also nominated as a supervising producer for the same show’s outstanding comedy series nomination. This could lead to two Ava Colemans taking the stage on Emmy night.
FANNING OUT: Elle and Dakota Fanning celebrated a successful Emmy nomination morning. Both are part of the production team for Apple TV’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” which is up for outstanding comedy. Additionally, Elle Fanning is nominated for comedy lead actress, while Dakota Fanning is recognized for supporting actress in limited/anthology for Peacock’s “All Her Fault.”
LIVE-TO-TAPE: Nikki Glaser is featured in both variety special categories. She is nominated as part of the 83rd Annual Golden Globes team for variety special (live), and her special “Nikki Glaser: Good Girl” received a nod for variety special (pre-recorded).
OK EPKs: The TV Academy’s outstanding short form nonfiction or reality series category continues to feature mainly marketing videos for TV shows. Nominated entries include “Hacks: Bit By Bit,” “Inside The Pitt,” “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette – A Love Untold,” and “Shrnking — In It Together.” The sole original entry is Netflix’s “This Is A Gardening Show.”
YOU LIKE HER: Sally Field holds the longevity title among performers this year, having first won an Emmy in 1977 for outstanding lead actress in a limited series for “Sybil.” In 2026, she is nominated in the lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie category for Netflix’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”
THE CHALMERS BEFORE THE STORM: Hank Azaria, known for his voice work on “The Simpsons,” has received 12 nominations and won four Emmys. In 2026, he is nominated for voicing Superintendent Gary Chalmers, marking the first time this character has earned him an Emmy nomination. Azaria’s previous wins were for characters like Apu, Moe, and others. But now, Superintendent Chalmers takes the spotlight.
HACKING HISTORY: Jean Smart could make history by winning her fifth consecutive best comedy actress Emmy for “Hacks,” completing her series run and tying with Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the most Emmys won by a performer, totaling eight. She would also join Candice Bergen and Don Knotts for the most Emmys won by a performer in the same role and series, with five. Only Louis-Dreyfus has more, with six for “Veep.” This might be a compelling reason for “Hacks” to return for another season.
EMMY PITT: Being part of “The Pitt” seems to be a ticket to a first-ever Emmy nomination. This year, first-time nominees include Brittany Allen, Tal Anderson, Patrick Ball, Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif, Ernest Harden Jr., Gerran Howell, Tina Ivlev, Jeff Kober, and Sepideh Moafi. Other newcomers to Emmy nominations are Leslie Bibb (“Hacks”), Dale Dickey (“Widow’s Bay”), Charlie Hunnam (“Monster: The Ed Gein Story”), Chase Infiniti (“The Testaments”), Hamish Linklater (“Widow’s Bay”), Charles Melton (“Beef”), Carey Mulligan (“Beef”), Kate O’Flynn (“Widow’s Bay”), Sarah Pidgeon (“Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette”), Miriam Shor (“Pluribus”), Megan Stalter (“Hacks”), Connor Storrie (“Saturday Night Live”), Joy Sunday (“DTF St. Louis”), Carlos-Manuel Vesga (“Pluribus”), Matt Vogel (“The Muppet Show”), Lauren Weedman (“Hacks”), Karolina Wydra (“Pluribus”), and Youn Yuh-jung (“Beef”).
