What Happened to Daytime Emmy Awards?
The Daytime Emmy Awards are an annual ceremony recognizing excellence in American daytime television programming, administered by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Originating from the Primetime Emmys in 1972 and becoming a separate event in 1974, the awards have undergone significant changes in recent years, including a shift in scheduling to October starting in 2025 and a move to online streaming for its telecast after a period on CBS.
Quick Answer
The Daytime Emmy Awards continue to honor outstanding achievements in American daytime television, with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) overseeing the event. As of 2026, the awards have transitioned their ceremony from the traditional May/June timeframe to October, and the telecast is primarily streamed online via the Emmys app and website. The nominations for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced in July 2026, with the ceremony scheduled for October 30, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
First Daytime-Themed Emmy Awards
Daytime categories, such as 'Outstanding Achievement in a Daytime Drama,' were first introduced and awarded during the annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.
Inaugural Separate Daytime Emmy Awards Ceremony
The first standalone Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony was held at Rockefeller Center in New York City, hosted by Barbara Walters and Peter Marshall, marking the official split from the Primetime Emmys.
Ceremony Not Televised
For the first time, the Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony was not televised, with NBC declining to broadcast it citing low ratings. This also occurred in 1984.
Voting Error Controversy
A significant voting error occurred where 'The Young and the Restless' was initially announced as the winner for Outstanding Drama Series, but 'Guiding Light' was later declared the actual winner.
Susan Lucci Wins After 19 Nominations
After 19 nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress, Susan Lucci finally won her first Daytime Emmy for her role as Erica Kane on 'All My Children,' becoming a celebrated moment in Emmy history.
Awards Relocate to Los Angeles
The Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony moved from New York City to the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, marking the first time the event was held outside of New York.
Emmy Revocation Controversy
Actress Patrika Darbo's Emmy for 'The Bay' was revoked due to submission errors, followed by Jennifer Bassey's. Controversy escalated when a male actor with a similar infraction was allowed to keep his award, leading to calls for a boycott.
Virtual Ceremony on CBS Due to COVID-19
The 47th Daytime Emmy Awards were postponed and held as a remotely-produced 'virtual' ceremony, airing on CBS, marking its return to broadcast television for the first time since 2011.
Genre-Based Delineation and Category Restructuring
NATAS redefined the Emmy categories, separating them by genre rather than broadcast time. This led to the creation of the Children's and Family Emmy Awards and moved morning show categories to the News & Documentary Emmys.
Scheduling Shift to October Announced
NATAS President Adam Sharp announced that starting with the 52nd ceremony, the Daytime Emmy Awards would move from its traditional May/June scheduling to October.
52nd Daytime Emmy Awards Streamed Online
The 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards were held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and streamed via the Emmys app and website, ending its broadcast run on CBS. 'General Hospital' won a leading seven awards.
53rd Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations Announced
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominations for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, with 'The Young and the Restless' and 'Beyond the Gates' receiving the most nods.
53rd Daytime Emmy Awards Ceremony Scheduled
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Hollywood, CA, continuing its new October schedule and expected to be streamed online.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Daytime Emmy Awards, a prestigious component of the broader Emmy Awards, were established to specifically acknowledge and celebrate excellence in American daytime television programming. Their origins trace back to 1972 when daytime-themed categories were first included in the Primetime Emmy Awards. Due to growing recognition and, at times, corporate disagreements between the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), a dedicated Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony was launched in 1974.
Historically, the ceremony was primarily held in New York City, often at iconic venues like Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. However, in 2006, the event relocated to Los Angeles, marking a significant geographical shift. The awards have faced challenges over the decades, including periods where the ceremony was not televised, such as in 1983, 1984, and 2016, often attributed to low ratings or the prevailing 'climate for awards shows.'
Key turning points in recent years include a return to broadcast television on CBS in 2020 with a remotely produced 'virtual' ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership with CBS continued through 2024. In 2021, NATAS implemented a significant redefinition, delineating the Daytime and Primetime Emmys by genre rather than strictly by broadcast time, leading to the creation of the Children's and Family Emmy Awards and moving morning show categories to the News & Documentary Emmys.
The awards have also encountered controversies, notably a voting error in 1986 that initially misidentified the Outstanding Drama Series winner and a highly publicized incident in 2018 where two actresses had their awards revoked due to submission rule violations, while a male actor with a similar infraction was allowed to keep his, sparking calls for a boycott and an audit.
CURRENT STATUS as of 2026-08-29: The Daytime Emmy Awards continue to evolve. In January 2025, NATAS announced a major scheduling change, moving the main ceremony from its traditional May/June slot to October, a shift that began with the 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards on October 17, 2025. This ceremony was streamed exclusively via the Emmys app and website, ending its run on CBS. For the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, nominations were announced on July 14, 2026, with 'The Young and the Restless' and 'Beyond the Gates' leading in nominations. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 30, 2026, in Hollywood, CA, and is expected to be streamed online.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Daytime Emmy Awards made different choices?