Emmy Voters Split on 'Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' as 2026 Ballots Close

Key points

• The Hollywood Reporter features an anonymous Emmy-winning producer who voted for 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay', criticizing 'DTF St. Louis' and 'Hacks'.
• Variety surveyed 10 anonymous voters, finding 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' are strong favorites, with 'Hacks' and 'Beef' as main competitors.
• Voters expressed frustration with 'DTF St. Louis' and 'Hacks', with some calling 'DTF St. Louis' a 'WTF St. Louis' and 'Hacks' a tired choice.
• The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air on September 14, 2026, with Creative Arts Awards on September 5-6.
• Voters noted that most do not watch all nominees, relying on buzz and peer recommendations to make decisions.

Background

The 2026 Emmy Awards are approaching, with voting now closed. The Television Academy has 27,000 members, and anonymous ballots provide insight into voter preferences. Previous coverage highlighted similar trends, with 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' emerging as strong contenders.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter's anonymous voter, a producer, praised 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' while criticizing 'DTF St. Louis' and 'Hacks'. Variety's survey of 10 voters showed similar trends, with 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' as strong favorites, but 'Hacks' and 'Beef' as main competitors. Some voters expressed frustration with 'DTF St. Louis' and 'Hacks', while others supported 'The Beast in Me' and 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'.

Why it matters

The anonymous ballots provide a snapshot of voter preferences, highlighting the strong support for 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' and the criticism of 'DTF St. Louis' and 'Hacks'. This can influence the outcome of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.

What to watch

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air on September 14, 2026, with Creative Arts Awards on September 5-6. Final predictions will be revealed before the first ceremony date.