HBO Max Just Dethroned Netflix Again, And The 2026 Emmy Race Is Already Getting Messy

Awards season always brings a mix of celebration and heartbreak, and this year’s Emmy nominations delivered plenty of both. Fans spent the morning combing through category lists, cheering for their favorite shows and mourning the snubs that always seem to sting a little more than expected. The streaming wars, which have quietly reshaped how these mornings play out, were once again front and center.

For the past few years, the battle for bragging rights has essentially come down to two names, and this cycle was no different. The competition between the major platforms has become as much a storyline as the shows themselves, with industry watchers treating the nomination tallies like a scoreboard.

According to Variety, which shared a detailed breakdown of this year’s nomination count on social media, HBO Max and its parent HBO delivered around 40 percent of their nomination haul thanks to a strong combined showing from two returning series. The final tally had HBO Max on top with 122 nominations, edging out Netflix’s 111 and putting the platform ahead for a second consecutive year.

Much of that HBO Max total came down to two familiar names. ‘The Pitt’ led all programs with 25 nominations, while ‘Hacks’ followed close behind with 24, and the freshman comedy horror hybrid ‘DTF St. Louis’ added another 13 nods to the pile. Netflix’s second place finish was fueled by a similarly strong slate, with ‘Beef’ pulling in 16 nominations, ‘The Beast in Me’ earning nine, and ‘Black Rabbit’ and ‘The Diplomat’ each landing seven.

Apple TV had arguably the most dramatic story of the morning, notching what several outlets described as its best showing ever. The platform has increasingly been referred to as “the next HBO” thanks to a string of buzzy hits, and ‘Widow’s Bay’ capitalized on that momentum by racking up 19 nominations despite barely qualifying for eligibility this season. ‘Pluribus’ wasn’t far behind with 18 of its own.

Broadcast television held its ground as well, with ABC leading the traditional networks at 35 nominations, followed by CBS at 32 and NBC at 30. Prime Video climbed back up to 28 nominations after a noticeably quieter year in 2025, while FX, Hulu, Peacock, Disney+ and National Geographic rounded out the rest of the major players named in the post.

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air on September 14 on NBC, shifting from its usual Sunday slot due to an NFL game, with the Creative Arts ceremonies taking place on September 5 and 6. Mariska Hargitay is on hosting duty this year, adding another layer of intrigue since she also picked up a nomination of her own during Wednesday’s announcement.

With ‘The Pitt’, ‘Hacks’ and ‘Widow’s Bay’ all setting the pace and Netflix refusing to give up ground without a fight, this year’s Emmy race feels wide open heading into voting. Which platform do you think deserves the crown when the trophies are actually handed out in September?