Final Emmy Predictions in 116 Categories: HBO Max Poised to Dominate With ‘The Pitt’ as ‘Widow’s Bay’ and ‘Hacks’ Chase Opposite All-Time Records — SkimNews
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- Variety's Awards Circuit released final Emmy predictions across 116 categories, updated Aug. 29, 2026, with HBO Max projected to lead all networks at 28 total wins, ahead of Netflix (20) and Apple TV (19).
- Apple TV's "Widow's Bay" is projected to win 15 Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series — which would break "The Studio's" single-season comedy record of 13 wins set just last year.
- "Hacks" set the all-time comedy nomination record with 24 nods but is only projected for one win — Jean Smart's record-setting eighth acting Emmy — and could set the record for most losses in a single season if Lisa Kudrow wins for "The Comeback" and the show is blanked at the Creative Arts, surpassing "The Handmaid's Tale's" 21 losses in 2021.
- "The Pitt" is expected to grow from 5 Emmys its freshman season to as many as 7, repeating in drama series and for Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and casting.
- Netflix's "Beef" Season 2 is projected to win 6 Emmys in limited/anthology series, with predicted acting wins for Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, edging HBO's "DTF St. Louis."
- Taylor Swift is projected to win her first competitive Emmy as producer of her Disney+ "Eras Tour" special, while Bad Bunny's Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show is expected to become the most-awarded Super Bowl halftime show in Emmy history and the first Spanish-language program to win variety special (live).
- The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards air Sept. 14 on NBC, hosted by Mariska Hargitay — who could become the first person to hold Emmy wins for both acting and documentary if she wins for "My Mom Jayne" — with Creative Arts ceremonies Sept. 5-6.
Why it matters: Three Emmy records could fall on Sept. 14: 'Widow's Bay' may break the comedy single-season win record of 13, 'Hacks' could top 'The Handmaid's Tale's' 21-loss single-season mark, and Jean Smart could claim an eighth acting Emmy. HBO Max's projected 28 wins would be its biggest haul yet, and Apple TV's first-year horror hit overtaking 'Hacks' is the night's biggest swing.
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