Emmy Awards 2026: The Traitors, Bad Bunny Win Big

The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards have kicked off with the first of two Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony recognized achievements in unscripted and variety programming, with several popular shows and specials emerging as major winners.

The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny had a strong night, winning awards in several categories, including variety special, directing, lighting design, music direction, sound mixing, choreography, and technical direction. The Traitors also had an impressive run, picking up wins for hosting, directing, picture editing, cinematography, and production design.

The first night of the Creative Arts Emmys focused on unscripted and variety programming, with a total of 49 categories covering documentaries, reality and game shows, variety specials, and short-form series. The second night will focus on scripted programs along with several technical and artistic categories.

Some notable winners include Mariska Hargitay, who won two awards for her documentary 'My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay', and Octavia Spencer, who took home her first-ever Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for 'Lost Women of Alaska'. Other winners include 'Antiques Roadshow' for Best Structured Reality Program, 'Love on the Spectrum' for Best Unstructured Reality Program, and 'Jeopardy' for Best Game Show.

The ceremony also recognized achievements in short-form programming, with 'Colbert Before Air' winning Best Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series, and 'Inside the Pitt' winning Best Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series.

The winners of the Creative Arts Emmys will be followed by the televised Primetime Emmys on September 14 on NBC and Peacock. The second ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 6.

The full list of winners includes:

- Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series: Mr. Scorsese

- Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special: My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay

- Best Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special: Tucci in Italy

- Best Structured Reality Program: Antiques Roadshow

- Best Unstructured Reality Program: Love on the Spectrum

- Best Game Show: Jeopardy

- Best Variety Special (Live): The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

- Best Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): The Muppet Show

- Best Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series: Colbert Before Air

- Best Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series: Inside the Pitt

- Best Emerging Media Program: Uncanny Alley: A New Day

- Best Innovation in Emerging Media Programming: Crafting Crimes

- Best Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program: Alan Cumming, The Traitors

- Best Game Show Host: Jimmy Kimmel, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

- Best Narrator: Octavia Spencer, Lost Women of Alaska

- Best Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series: Desi Lydic, “The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains”

- Best Casting for a Reality Program: Love on the Spectrum

- Best Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming: The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

The Creative Arts Emmys recognize the technical and artistic achievements in American television programming. The awards are presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and are considered a precursor to the main Primetime Emmy Awards.

The winners of the Creative Arts Emmys will be honored at a separate ceremony, and their awards will be presented during the televised Primetime Emmys. The Primetime Emmys will recognize the best in primetime television programming, with awards for acting, writing, directing, and outstanding series.

The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will conclude with the televised ceremony on September 14, where the winners of the main categories will be announced. The ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock, and will feature performances and presentations by some of the biggest names in television.

In conclusion, the first night of the Creative Arts Emmys has recognized some of the best in unscripted and variety programming, with The Traitors and The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny emerging as major winners. The second night will focus on scripted programs, and the main Primetime Emmys will conclude the awards season on September 14.

The significance of the Emmy Awards lies in their recognition of excellence in American television programming. The awards provide a platform for creators and artists to showcase their work and be recognized by their peers. The Emmy Awards also have a significant impact on the television industry, with winners often experiencing increased viewership and critical acclaim.

Overall, the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards have kicked off with a strong start, recognizing some of the best in unscripted and variety programming. The awards will continue to recognize excellence in television programming, and will conclude with the main Primetime Emmys on September 14.