The Pitt leads Emmys with 25 nominations

The Television Academy unveiled the 2026 Emmy nominations on July 8, with HBO Max’s “The Pitt” emerging as the top overall nominee at 25. “Hacks,” also on HBO Max, followed with 24 nominations for its final season, a total that multiple outlets said set a record for a comedy series. The nominations were announced in Los Angeles during a live presentation hosted by Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller, alongside Television Academy chair Cris Abrego. (kqed.org) The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set for Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, airing on NBC and Peacock with Mariska Hargitay as host. (televisionacademy.com) ### Which shows led the field? “The Pitt” led all nominees with 25 mentions, including a nomination for outstanding drama series and a lead actor nomination for Noah Wyle, according to the Television Academy’s nominee database and contemporaneous coverage. “Hacks” ranked second overall with 24 and led the comedy field. “Widow’s Bay” landed 19 nominations, while “Pluribus” received 18, according to published nominee roundups. Those totals placed them among the most-nominated new entrants in this year’s field. (televisionacademy.com) ### Why was “Hacks” a focal point of the nominations? “Hacks” drew attention because its 24 nominations were described by the Associated Press and others as a record for a comedy series in a single year. The show’s final season benefited from nominations across top-line and craft categories, extending a strong Emmy run for the Jean Smart-led series. (televisionacademy.com) USA Today’s nominations roundup also highlighted the scale of the show’s performance, placing it just behind “The Pitt” and ahead of the rest of the comedy field. (msn.com) That made HBO Max the home of both the top drama nominee and the top comedy nominee this year. ### Who announced the nominees, and where did it happen? Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller announced the nominations during a morning livestream from the Wolf Theatre at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports. (kqed.org) Television Academy chair Cris Abrego joined the presentation. The Television Academy’s official nominees page published the full category-by-category list shortly after the announcement. Trade and consumer outlets, including Deadline and Vanity Fair, then posted expanded nominee lists and early reaction pieces focused on records, first-time nominees and omissions. (usatoday.com) ### Which names and categories stood out beyond the top two shows? Noah Wyle figured prominently in early coverage because “The Pitt” paired its series-leading total with a lead actor nomination. Zendaya was also cited in Associated Press coverage for receiving her third nomination for “Euphoria,” underscoring the mix of established Emmy contenders and newer series in this year’s field. (yahoo.com) The Television Academy’s 2026 nominee database shows the breadth of the field across comedy, drama, limited series, reality, variety and craft categories, with the top programs accumulating nominations far beyond the marquee acting and series races. (televisionacademy.com) ### When is the ceremony, and who is hosting it? Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, according to the Television Academy and NBCUniversal. The ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE. (kvi.com) NBC said the telecast will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and stream on Peacock. The next formal milestone is the Sept. 14 ceremony, when “The Pitt,” “Hacks,” “Widow’s Bay” and the rest of the nominees compete for the year’s top television honors. (televisionacademy.com) (nbcuniversal.com) (televisionacademy.com)