Nat Geo’s ‘Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller,’ PBS’ ‘Frontline’ Lead News & Documentary Emmy Awards 2026 Nominations (FULL LIST)
Why it matters: The 47th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards will be handed out on May 27-28, 2026, at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
- National Geographic garnered 51 total nominations, with its series "Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller" earning 25 individual nods for episodes like "Million Dollar Highway Heists" and "Cartel USA."
- PBS's "Frontline" secured 19 nominations for its in-depth looks at topics such as "Strike On Iran: The Nuclear Question" and "Syria’s Detainee Files."
- Disney had a strong overall showing, with National Geographic leading, followed by ABC News (46 nods), while CNN (32) and PBS (25) also received significant recognition.
- NATAS president/CEO Adam Sharp highlighted that this year's nominees represent a "dynamic range of voices and perspectives shaping the future of news and documentary storytelling."
- Christine Chin, Head of Documentary Emmys, emphasized that the documentary nominees demonstrate the power of filmmaking to "challenge perspectives, elevate underrepresented voices, and inform, engage, and inspire audiences worldwide."
- Amy Schmelzer, Head of News Emmys, praised the nominees as "brave storytellers" who reflect the courage and integrity needed to communicate today's breaking stories globally.
National Geographic's "Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller" leads the 47th Annual News & Documentary Emmy nominations with 25 nods, closely followed by PBS's "Frontline" with 19, as Disney-owned entities collectively dominate the field. The nominations, chosen from over 2000 submissions by 900 peer professionals, celebrate a diverse range of storytelling that deepens public understanding and brings critical stories to audiences.
