Emmys 2026 Nominations: Rule Reboots, Host, and 78th Edition Details

The 78th Emmy nominations for 2026 were announced with Mariska Hargitay set to host NBC/Peacock’s live ceremony from L.A. This year brings major rule changes, including merging talk and scripted variety into a single “outstanding variety series” category that will operate as an area award requiring about 90% voter approval, a rename of the TV movie category to “outstanding movie,” AI guidelines, and expanded eligibility in several craft categories. A total of 555 programs were submitted across 14 categories. Nominees highlighted in the piece include reality-competition contenders Dancing With the Stars, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef and The Traitors, and Outstanding Variety Series nominees The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and Saturday Night Live.