Emmys to Reveal Reality and Talk Series Nominations Early on ‘CBS Mornings’

The Television Academy is mixing up tradition ahead of the Emmy nominations, unveiling a pair of categories earlier than usual.

In a twist to the typical schedule, two major categories — outstanding reality competition program and outstanding talk series — will be revealed live on “CBS Mornings” at 4:47 a.m. PT / 7:47 a.m. ET on Tuesday. The remaining Emmy nominations will follow during the official announcement ceremony at 8:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. ET, streamed live from the Academy’s Wolf Theatre. This was via an announcement from the TV Academy that went out to studios and networks.

Decision to sneak two categories on “CBS Mornings” comes because the Eye network is set to host this year’s kudocast, hosted by Nate Bargatze, in September. It’s the first time a network telecasting the Emmys (which switches each year as part of a broadcast ‘wheel’ deal) got to exclusively announce any of the Emmy categories. It’s also a return to including Emmy noms during the morning news show time period: Until a few years ago, the Emmys regularly revealed their noms at 5:35 a.m. PT in order to hit the morning news programs on the East Coast.

Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego will join presenters Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows”) and Brenda Song (“Running Point”) at the main ceremony to announce the rest of the major categories.

This method mirrors tactics used by the Daytime Emmys, which have previously released early nominations through outlets like Access Hollywood, Extra, and E! News. The Grammys have also implemented a similar staggered rollout in past years.

This year’s reality competition category is packed with fierce contenders, including MTV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Peacock’s reigning champ “The Traitors,” and CBS staples “The Amazing Race” and “Survivor.”

The talk series race, despite a drop in submissions to just 13, remains one of the most closely watched. Only three nomination slots are available, and established hits such as CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” are all battling for a spot. Newcomers including YouTube’s “Hot Ones,” Netflix’s “Everybody’s in L.A. with John Mulaney” and CNN’s “Have I Got News for You” are also hoping to break into the lineup.

The 77th Emmy Awards will broadcast live Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, as well as stream live and on demand via select packages on Paramount+.

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