The Big Shift: Why the Daytime Emmys Are Moving

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is slowly rolling out its list of nominations for the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which will take place this year in October. This move is a notable departure from the show’s longtime June berth. This significant change comes as NATAS realigns the timing for some of its biggest shows; for instance, the News & Documentary Emmys, usually held in the fall, shifted to June instead. This strategic scheduling aims to optimize the awards season calendar.

Kicking things off on Wednesday, NATAS began announcing nominations in highly anticipated categories, including daytime drama series, daytime talk series, lead actor in a daytime drama series, and lead actress in a daytime drama series. The initial reveal also covered nominations for instructional series, travel or adventure programs, lifestyle programs, and instructional/how-to programs. The full slate of this year’s nominations is expected to be announced on Thursday, keeping fans on the edge of their seats for the complete picture.

“We’re excited to recognize the exceptional individuals and teams who make daytime television great every year and in some cases, every day. As the Daytime landscape continues to expand, we’re excited to introduce new categories to recognize the boundary-pushing work being done, and we’re enthusiastic to convene with and celebrate the whole Daytime community in one ceremony.”


— Adam Sharp, NATAS President/CEO

New Categories & Rules: What’s Different in 2025?

This year’s Daytime Emmy competition introduces several significant rule changes and new categories designed to better reflect the evolving landscape of daytime television. Among the major additions is the “Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Program” category. This aims to recognize new performers “on their first Daytime contract with no previous Daytime Emmy acting nominations.” These rising stars must have been on their Daytime Drama for two years or less and appear onscreen in a speaking role with at least one multi-episode story arc, with no age restriction.

The culinary and travel categories have also seen a refresh. The “Culinary Series” category has been split into two distinct awards: “Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series” and “Outstanding Culinary Cultural Series.” Similarly, the “Outstanding Travel, Nature, and Adventure” category has been divided into “Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program” and “Outstanding Nature and Science Program,” allowing for more specialized recognition.

💡 Key Insight

The eligibility window for the 52nd Daytime Emmys was January 1 to December 31, 2024. This means new shows like CBS’ “Beyond the Gates,” which premiered in 2025, will not be included in this year’s nomination tally but are eligible for future awards.

In another significant structural change, NATAS has added “Outstanding Regional Content in a Daytime Genre.” This is explicitly not an Emmy-eligible category but rather a special award. It recognizes any regional program winner from their local contests between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, in applicable categories such as Lifestyle, Magazine, Entertainment, and Arts/Entertainment Long or Short Form. Winners in this category will receive a crystal pillar trophy, acknowledging their regional success. Finally, in a move to consolidate the festivities, the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be held as a single ceremony this year, eliminating the separate Creative Arts ceremony previously held.

The First Nominees Are In!

Here are the first batch of 2025 Daytime Emmys nominees, hot off the press:

  1. 1

    Outstanding Daytime Drama Series

    “Days of our Lives” (Peacock)
    “General Hospital” (ABC)
    “The Young and the Restless” (CBS [Sony Pictures Television])

  2. 2

    Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor

    Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Eric Martsolf as Brady Black, “Days of our Lives” (Peacock)
    Greg Rikaart as Leo Stark, “Days of our Lives” (Peacock)
    Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis, “Days of our Lives” (Peacock)
    Dominic Zamprogna as Dante Falconeri, “General Hospital” (ABC)

  3. 3

    Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress

    Sharon Case as Sharon Newman, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Eileen Davidson as Ashley Abbott, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Melissa Claire Egan as Chelsea Lawson, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis, “General Hospital” (ABC)
    Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Laura Wright as Carly Spencer, “General Hospital” (ABC)

  4. 4

    Outstanding Lifestyle Program

    “George to the Rescue” (NBC)
    “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut” (Netflix [Tremolo Productions])
    “Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward” (NBC [Hearst Media Production Group])
    “Homegrown” (Magnolia Network [Eclipse Creative])
    “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” (Netflix [Netflix | OPS | The Vogt Foundation])

  5. 5

    Outstanding Instructional/How-To Program

    “Dime Como Hacerlo” (Roku [This Old House Productions])
    “The Fixers” (BYUtv)
    “Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse” (Magnolia Network [Blind Nil])
    “Going Home with Tyler Cameron” (Amazon Prime Video [Amazon MGM Studios | High Noon Entertainment])
    “Married to Real Estate” (HGTV)
    “Martha Gardens” (Roku [Marquee Brands])

  6. 6

    Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series

    “Be My Guest with Ina Garten” (Food Network [Pacific Productions])
    “Delicious Miss Brown” (Food Network [FRANK.])
    “Emeril Cooks” (Roku [Marquee Brands])
    “Lidia’s Kitchen” (PBS [Tavola Productions])
    “Selena + Restaurant” (Food Network [July Moon Productions | Sony Pictures Television’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC)])