The Walt Disney Company celebrated a successful morning at the 78th Emmy Awards, securing a total of 125 nominations, with ABC leading the broadcast networks with 46 nods.
OConnell's First Emmy Morning
Debra OConnell, recently appointed as chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, described the nominations as "an embarrassment of riches". The 125 nominations spanned across Disney Kids & Family, FX, Disney Television Studios, Hulu Originals, National Geographic, and more.
ABC's Surprising Comeback
ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" made a notable return to the reality competition series category, earning its first nomination in a decade. OConnell praised the show's ongoing cultural impact and creative evolution.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" continued its streak with a 15th consecutive nomination in the outstanding variety series category and received a writing nomination for the first time in 13 years. OConnell expressed pride in the show's creative team.
Strong Showing for Hulu and Nat Geo
Hulu received 22 nominations, with "Paradise" securing seven, including one for drama series, and "Only Murders in the Building" once again nominated for outstanding comedy. National Geographic's 12 nominations featured highlights like "Tucci in Italy" and "Ocean with David Attenborough."
FX and Streaming Collaborations
Disney Television Studios gathered 59 nominations, including nods for "Bob’s Burgers," "The Simpsons," and "Abbott Elementary." FX, under shared oversight with Hulu, collected 23 nominations. This collaboration ensured simultaneous launches for FX-branded series on both platforms, enhancing audience reach.
OConnell emphasized the benefit of meeting audiences "where they are" with this new approach.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/disney-debra-oconnell-emmy-dancing-with-the-stars-fx-hulu-1236805393/
