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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Set Date for Ceremony, Nominations this Summer, Rule Changes for 2026 as Submissions Open

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: NATAS

On Thursday, the National Academy of Television Arts Sciences (NATAS) has announced that they have set the date for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, have opened submissions, shared when the nominations will be announced, and revealed rule changes for the 2026 competition and a newly-designed logo and key art.

With submissions beginning today on March 19, look for the nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards to be revealed this summer in a date in July. 

Additionally, the date for this year’s ceremony will again be in the fall currently slated for October 30th with this year to take place in Hollywood. In 2025, the ceremony took place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. There are no further details as of yet, if the ceremony will be just streamed or televised.

Photo: JPI

Below are the list of changes that will impact: Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama, Episode-Based Submissions, Joint Drama/Non-Fiction categories, Science and Nature programming, Multi and Single Cam shows, Members-only judging, and nominee count.

Guest Performer In a Daytime Drama – The Guest category is now mandated by a MAXIMUM of 19% of episodes aired/streamed for the first time during calendar year 2025. Performers appearing on more episodes than that are eligible only in the Leading, Supporting, or Emerging Talent categories.

  • The former definition was “a performance in a limited role with a definitive beginning and end to the story arc.”

Episode-Based Submissions – To align Emmy competitions, the contest has switched to a “Primetime Format” that focuses on episode-based submissions for craft categories, rather than the team-based structure which allowed the full team to be awarded based on a single submission.

  • A program is therefore eligible to enter multiple submissions for different episodes and potentially receive multiple nominations within the same category.

Joint Drama/Non-Fiction Categories – In any craft excepting Writing and Directing, Dramas and Non-Fiction Programs will enter alongside one another in Daytime Program categories. These will be split into separate categories IF both the Daytime Drama and Daytime Non-Fiction tracks have at least 10 submissions per track.

  • Example: If the Dramas and Non-Dramas each have at least 10 entries in the Costume Design/Styling category, contest administration will create a Costume Design/Styling in a Daytime Drama Series category and a Costume Design/Styling for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program category. If they do not, they will all compete in Costume Design/Styling for a Daytime Program.

Science and Nature Programming – The Daytime Emmys is no longer offering a Science and Nature category.

  • Science and Nature programming that has traditionally fallen under the Daytime Emmys, which features an offscreen/voiceover narrator, belongs either in News & Doc or Primetime.

  • Science and Nature programming that has traditionally fallen under the Daytime Emmys, which features a participatory host, belongs in Children’s & Family if geared towards viewers from infancy to age 15, or it belongs in Primetime if geared towards older viewers.

  • Any programming in any genre that is produced by the documentary department of a platform/network/production company is NOT eligible for the Daytime Emmys. It should instead be entered in either the News & Doc Emmys or the Primetime Emmys.

Redefining Multi-Cam and Single-Cam – All categories formerly defined or tracked as multi-cam or single-cam have been reclassified as either Studio or Non-Studio. Programs featuring both filming styles must a) choose to enter categories featuring the predominant style and b) may NOT enter certain crafts in one style and other crafts in the other style. Predominant is defined as 50.1%.

  • This applies in Non-Fiction Directing, Technical Direction, and Editing categories.

Members-Only Judging – As announced last year, judging for the Daytime Emmys has moved to a members-only model. Judges who are members of either NATAS, the Television Academy, or dual members will automatically be approved to judge. Members in applicable categories will be assigned, at the discretion of competition administrators, to the appropriate category or categories, as outlined in our judging guidelines.

  • For categories in which NATAS is unable to field a viable panel solely with member judges — and only in these categories — administrators will also consider judges from the following groups, in order of priority: (1) prior Emmy Award winners, (2) prior Emmy Award nominees, and (3) those who otherwise meet the published membership criteria for their respective Peer Group but have elected not to join at this time.

  • NATAS will consider the availability of member-judges in the ongoing viability evaluation of competition categories and may, in the future, eliminate those categories for which full panels of member-judges are consistently unobtainable.

Nominee Count: In any category with fewer than ten (10) submissions, the default number of nominations is 50% of the category’s submissions, rounded up to the nearest whole number, unless a more natural cutoff or a minimum viability limitation applies. Categories with three (3) or fewer submissions have no nominations, though the National Awards Committee may proceed with an award based on a standard of excellence if the category is not otherwise merged or eliminated.

Thereafter, the default number of nominations in a category is as follows:

    • 10 – 29 submissions: 5 nominations

    • 30 – 59 submissions: 6 nominations

    • 60 – 89 submissions: 7 nominations

    • 90 – 119 submissions: 8 nominations

    • 120 -149  submissions: 9 nominations

    • 150 or more submissions: 10 nominations

So, glad to hear submissions are now open for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, plus a date for the ceremony? What do you think about the rule changes for Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama? Who do you think it helps be included and what actors do you think it would then exclude where they would need to enter in one of the other acting categories? Let us know your thoughts on the changes to the rules and more, via the comment section below.

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Let’s hope it will be televised. I am hoping to see Jane Elliot win Best Actress (for Monica’s death and the aftermath), Steve Burton (Monica’s death, his scenes on the stairs at the Quartermaine house), Giovanni Mazza (Gio) for Best Supporting Actor (Nurses’s Ball), Amanda Setton (BLQ, her scenes with Lois and finding out Gio was her son), but mostly see Erica Slezak win Best Guest Performer.

I agree with all of the above nominees for General Hospital.

Any other nominees than Slezak in Guest can be referred to as sacrificial lambs

would be great to see the show televised especially on CBS since this is the first year Beyond The Gates is eligible ! Here come the fans who think general and beyond the gates should win everything! it’s so obnoxious there are 5 shows share the wealth and that pic of Jonathan Jackson is an annoying reminder how he should not have won this year ! the nominations should be interesting there always seems to be several head scratchers in the mix

Projecting much?

Well he’s right about Jonathan Jackson.

thank you

I was referring to the rest of it because he doesn’t have a crystal ball.

Is it just me, or are many of these changes pointlessly idiotic and restrictive?

Breaking News

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco Welcome Baby Girl, Philomena into the World

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Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco

Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.

Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.

Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco

Photo: KCuoco IG

BABY MAKES FOUR

Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”

Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.

Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.

He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.

TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER

After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.

Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen!  Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”

Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.

Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.

 

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2026 Daytime Emmys Gold & Silver Circle Inductees: Francesca James, Patrika Darbo and Meredith Vieira Among Those Being Honored

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Daytime Emmy Gold & Silver Inductees

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday, October 8, the 2026 Gold & Silver Circle Inductees who will be celebrated at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 30.

This year’s honor roll features industry professionals that have made contributions across daytime television, including daytime dramas, talk shows, comedy, and more.

The Gold inductees include: Meredith Vieira (former c0-host of The View, journalist and EP and CEO, Meredith Vieira Productions),Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy, Days of our Lives and Shirley, The Bold and the Beautiful, soon to be seen reprising her role of Shirley on Y&R), three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Francesca James (ex-Kitty/Kelly, All My Children, and ex-Marcy Wade, One Life to Live, plus director and/or producer at All My Children, General Hospital, Loving, Santa Barbara et al), and finally Byron Allen (Founder, Chairman & CEO Allen Media Group).

It should be noted that Vieira made guest appearances on both All My Children and General Hospital throughout her career. On GH, she played madam Bree Flanders in 2003 and 2012. She also appeared as a wedding planner on All My Children back in 2001.

Photo: NATAS

The Silver inductees are: Stephen Brown (VP Programming and Development, Fox Television Stations)  and Rubin Ervin (Announcer/Warm-Up Host for Family Feud, The Bachelor and more).The Gold and Silver Circle Society Inductees are deemed by NATAS as “exceptional professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years, respectively. They represent the best and brightest in the industry.”

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS shared, “This year’s Gold & Silver honorees are recognized for their continued exceptional contributions to our television industry. We are proud to honor a class of honorees from diverse career paths across many daytime genres. Their impact is evident in programming every day, inspiring generations and enriching the lives of countless viewers.”

MORE ON THE 53RD ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMYS

NATAS previously announced that soap opera icon Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s ceremonies.

The 2026 Daytime Emmys will be held at the historic Hollywood Palladium and will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

The annual awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be a single ceremony in 2026, produced by NATAS Productions. Adam Sharp and Lara Gates are executive producers, with Leon Knoles returning to direct for a fifth straight year. Rachel Schwartz serves as Head of Daytime, and the firm of Lutz & Carr, LLP, provides accounting services for the competition.

So, what do you think of this year’s Gold & Silver Inductees? Happy to see some of the names that will be recognized on October 30? Who in the future who has had enduring contributions to daytime television or the soap opera genre, would you like to see receive these honors in years to come? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Breaking News

Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62

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Robert Kelker-Kelly

Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.

According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route. Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.

Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.

Robert Kelker-Kelly

Photo: NBC

Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.

As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.

Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.

Robert Kelker-Kelly, GH

Photo: ABC

Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.

Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.

Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.

Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”

The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”

Besides his role in the soaps, Kelker-Kelly appeared on primetime on Touched by an Angel and Rescue 77 , and played Bo in the Days of our Lives specials Night Sins and Winter Heat in the early 90s.

Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.

Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.

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