The nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards are currently being announced. Early highlights include the recently concluded shows “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” which garnered nominations for both talk series and host, and “Sherri,” which received a host nomination.
The Daytime Emmys, organized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences based in New York, honor excellence in daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary shows, adventure, instructional, and legal/courtroom programming. This year’s Lifetime Achievement honoree, Gold & Silver Circle inductees, and ceremony host will be revealed at a later time.
The Daytime Emmys, which were traditionally held in June, shifted to mid-fall last year. The 2026 ceremony is set for Friday, October 30, in Los Angeles.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” stated Adam Sharp, president and CEO of NATAS. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”Â
This year’s Daytime Emmy nominations follow several rule changes introduced in the spring. Notably, submissions are now episode-based, described as a “primetime format,” allowing shows to submit multiple episodes and possibly earn several nominations.
Furthermore, NATAS will now decide the number of nominations in each category based on the number of submissions received, similar to the Primetime Emmys. The default nomination numbers are:
10 – 29 submissions: 5 nominations
30 – 59 submissions: 6 nominations
60 – 89 submissions: 7 nominations
90 – 119 submissions: 8 nominations
120 -149 submissions: 9 nominations
150 or more submissions: 10 nominations
If submissions in a category are fewer than ten, the default number of nominations is 50% of the submissions, rounded up. Categories with three or fewer submissions will have no nominations, although the National Awards Committee may choose to give an award based on excellence if the category is not merged or eliminated.
A new eligibility rule for guest actors in daytime dramas has been introduced: “To qualify for the guest category, appearances must be in a maximum of 19% of episodes aired/streamed for the first time in the calendar year 2025. Otherwise, entries must be in the Leading, Supporting, or Emerging Talent categories.”
Additionally, the science and nature programming category has been removed from Daytime categories. Programs must now submit under Primetime, News & Doc, or Children’s & Family categories, depending on eligibility.
Daytime dramas and non-fiction programs will now compete in the same categories, except for writing and directing. If both categories receive at least ten submissions each, they will be separated again.
NATAS Productions manages the Daytime Emmys. Adam Sharp and Lara Gates serve as executive producers, with Leon Knoles returning as ceremony director for the fifth consecutive year. “Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” expressed Rachel Schwartz, head of the Daytime Emmy awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”Â
Here are this year’s nominations, beginning with four categories unveiled Monday night on “Extra” and “Entertainment Tonight”:
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
- Stacy Haiduk as Kristen DiMera, “Days of Our Lives” (Peacock [Corday Productions, Inc. | Sony Pictures Television])
- Karla Mosley as Dani Dupree, “Beyond the Gates” (CBS)
- Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS [Sony Pictures Television])
- Heather Tom as Katie Logan, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS [Bell-Phillip TV Productions, Inc.])
- Tamara Tunie as Anita Williams Dupree, “Beyond the Gates” (CBS)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
- Eric Braeden as Victor Newman, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS [Sony Pictures Television])
- Steve Burton as Jason Morgan, “General Hospital” (ABC)
- Scott Clifton as Liam Spencer, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS [Bell-Phillip TV Productions, Inc.])
- Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS [Bell-Phillip TV Productions, Inc.])
- Christian Jules LeBlanc as Michael Baldwin, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS [Sony Pictures Television])
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
- “3rd Hour of Today” (NBC)
- “The Drew Barrymore Show” (CBS Media Ventures)
- “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (NBCUniversal Syndication Studios)
- “Live with Kelly and Mark” (Disney Entertainment Distribution)
- “Today with Jenna & Friends” (NBC)
- “The View” (ABC)
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
- Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, “The View” (ABC)
- Kelly Clarkson, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (NBCUniversal Syndication Studios)
- Tamron Hall, “Tamron Hall” (Disney Entertainment Distribution)
- Jennifer Hudson, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Warner Bros. Television [Telepictures])
- Sherri Shepherd, “Sherri” (Debmar-Mercury)
More updates will follow as additional nominees are announced on Tuesday morning.
