2025 Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced With Fresh Twists

The first notable change of tradition, the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will take place on October 17, 2025, instead of traditionally in June. It is a component of refresh on the overall Tony-Nominated calendar the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is making this season, indicating a daytime leap in recognition.

The first cycle of nominations, disclosed on July 9, values the best performers, shows and discoveries in the day’s programming. Although the usual name names lingered on top of the list, the new categories and the new format are getting a radical amount of attention as well. This year we will see not just an awards show that celebrates excellence but also an awards show that is comfortable with the idea that television is currently changing.

A Bold Change in Timing and Format

The Daytime Emmys will be held in one event, which should be, in the first shift, in contrast to Creative Arts and the main event as it was done before. Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS, validated this choice, by saying that the organization is interested in bringing a common celebration of the daytime accomplishments. It is also consistent with movement to change other large Emmy events, including the News & Documentary Emmys to June.

To make this more interesting, the broadcast partner this year was not announced. CBS which broadcast the event last time under an out-of-date contract is still a possibility but NATAS is being secretive on its new contract.

Highlights from the First Round of Nominations

Long dramedies and talk shows are taking the center stage. The Young and the Restless on CBS, General Hospital on ABC, and Days of our Lives on Peacock are all competing in the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, making sure that there will be yet another year of stiff competition in the most popular genre.

The categories of the performances have shown familiar faces ready to get the award with their consummate performances, including Peter Bergman, Michelle Stafford and Laura Wright. The Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category features:

• Actors: Peter Bergman, Eric Martsolf, Greg Rikaart, Paul Telfer, Dominic Zamprogna
• Actresses: Sharon Case, Eileen Davidson, Melissa Claire Egan, Nancy Lee Grahn, Michelle Stafford, Laura Wright

Daytime talk remains a stronghold with five powerhouse programs competing for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series:

• The Drew Barrymore Show
• The Jennifer Hudson Show
• The Kelly Clarkson Show
• Live with Kelly and Mark
• The View

How-to and lifestyle categories were not left without their due, with Netflix making some unusual entries with Hack Your Health and You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment. All HGTV, PBS, Magnolia Network, and Roku had been recognized in the categories of different instructions and home improvements.

New Categories Reflecting a Changing Industry

This year NATAS has established a number of new categories to represent the development of the industry. Among them is the category of Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Program, a category created to feature new sensations with less than two years of experience, and those who have not been nominated previously to the Emmys.

Sophisticated differences exist also in food and travel programming:

• Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series and Outstanding Culinary Cultural Series now stand as separate awards.
• The previously broad Travel, Nature, and Adventure category is split into Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program and Outstanding Nature and Science Program.

Also, the award Outstanding Regional Content in a Daytime Genre presents a new honorary award, which rewards the merits of local programs. Winners will be awarded with a crystal pillar trophy, even though the awards in this category are not eligible to be entered into Emmy.

A Glimpse at What’s Ahead

Notwithstanding CBSs Beyond the Gates, which will not be eligible to submit until 2025, the schedule still has considerable strength. Since there will be more nominations to be announced on July 10, speculation is on the rise. The ritual in Pasadena will be not only a performance festival but the transformation of the daytime terrain.

Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong, the executive producers, and Rachel Schwartz, the head of Daytime Emmys, are gearing up to a night that would change the image of the awards.

With the Daytime Emmys still developing, the NATAS seems quick to adapt to the current consumption and creation trends.