Television Academy Cuts 7 Categories From 2026 Primetime Emmys Telecast

The Television Academy is making this year’s Primetime Emmys seven categories smaller. The Academy announced Friday that the 78th Emmy Awards telecast on Monday, Sept. 14, will only feature 19 categories, a decrease from last year’s 26. Seven categories will move from the Primetime Emmys telecast to the Creative Arts Emmys one week earlier: Writing for a Variety Series, Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Directing for a Limited Series or Movie, Writing for a Limited Series or Movie and Variety Special (Live). In addition to these six categories moving from the main show, Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Scripted Variety Series will be this year combined into a single category, Outstanding Variety Series. “The Television Academy is committed to delivering a fresh new take on the Emmys broadcast, with a focus on entertainment that celebrates television shows, artists and moments audiences love while honoring excellent work from the past year,” the Television Academy said in a statement. “Given the extraordinary breadth of work recognized each year and the limited time available within a three-hour broadcast, a select number of categories will be moving to the Emmy ceremonies taking place the week prior to the telecast. This thoughtful evolution ensures this year’s NBC ceremony and future broadcasts remain deeply engaging and tailored to the television audience.” This change comes just one year after the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category brought history to the Emmys telecast. In 2025, Owen Cooper picked up that trophy for his role on “Adolescence,” thus becoming the youngest male actor to ever win an Emmy. Cooper was joined that night by “Adolescence” supporting actress Erin Doherty, director Philip Barantini and writers Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham as winners in categories that will now be moved to the Creative Arts ceremony. Those awards will now be given out on Sunday, Sept. 6. Mariska Hargitay will host the 2026 Primetime Emmys on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. You can view all the categories presented at that ceremony this year below. 1. Outstanding Comedy Series2. Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series3. Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series4. Outstanding Drama Series5. Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series6. Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series7. Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie8. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series9. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series10. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie11. Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series12. Outstanding Reality Competition Program13. Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series14. Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series15. Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series16. Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series17. Outstanding Variety Series18. Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series19. Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series