Emmys categories moved off NBC telecast in awards shake-up
The TV Academy shifted five Emmy races to earlier ceremonies, drawing quick pushback from the DGA, WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
The Emmys categories moved in a new TV Academy shake-up include five races that will no longer be handed out during NBC’s Sept. 14 primetime telecast, Variety reported.
According to Variety, the TV Academy Board of Governors voted last Thursday to shift the categories to the earlier Emmy ceremonies on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. Those events are no longer being labeled the “Creative Arts Emmys” by the academy and are now being referred to as Emmys ceremonies.
The change affects some familiar names. Variety reported that Richard Gadd, creator and star of HBO Max’s “Half Man,” received the show’s only Emmy nomination this year, in supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. That category is among the races being moved out of the NBC broadcast.
What Emmys categories moved off the telecast?
Variety reported that the five categories shifted from the Sept. 14 NBC telecast are writing for a variety series, supporting actor in a limited series or movie, supporting actress in a limited series or movie, directing for a limited series or movie, and writing for a limited series or movie.
The move means some nominees who expected to attend only the main Emmy telecast may now have to show up earlier in the month, according to Variety. The outlet noted that several limited-series supporting actor and actress nominees, including Jason Bateman, Dakota Fanning, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini and Nick Offerman, now have categories spread across both the earlier ceremonies and the primetime show.
The Emmys are television’s top awards, presented by the TV Academy to recognize work across scripted, unscripted, variety, documentary, animation and craft categories. The primetime telecast is the highest-profile ceremony, while many production, performance and craft awards have traditionally been presented at earlier events.
Guilds object to the Emmy telecast change
The Directors Guild of America, Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA criticized the decision in a joint response reported by Variety.
“The decision to eliminate these categories from the primetime broadcast devalues the contributions of the talented people the Academy is meant to honor,” the guilds said, according to Variety.
The shifted categories include writing, directing and acting awards, which helps explain the fast reaction from the three major Hollywood guilds. Variety also noted that the earlier Emmy ceremonies have long recognized many other television workers, including guest performers, voice actors, costumers, hairstylists, editors, cinematographers, art directors and musicians.
Why is the TV Academy changing the Emmys?
Variety reported that the academy, NBC and producer Jesse Collins Entertainment are trying a different format as the Emmy telecast faces pressure over ratings and reviews. The 2025 Emmys drew 7.4 million viewers, according to Variety.
The idea, as described by Variety, is to reduce the number of awards presented on the Sept. 14 broadcast and use the available time for more entertainment elements, including music performances, comedy segments and acceptance speeches. Variety reported that TV Academy chairman Cris Abrego has described the move as a gamble.
This is not the first time the academy has tried a similar cut. Variety reported that in 2005, the TV Academy announced plans to move seven categories to the Creative Arts show, but backed off after opposition from industry groups including the WGA and DGA.
The next test comes across three Emmy nights: the earlier ceremonies on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, followed by the NBC telecast on Sept. 14.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.