On Sunday night’s first-ever Children’s and Family Emmy Awards main ceremony, the National Academy of Television Arts Sciences delivered an emotional show that enabled those not only in the audience, but those watching at home, the opportunity to understand the depth of the types of programming in this new awards show.  Utilizing clips of the winner’s work as they were walking to the stage to accept their award, was a great way for people to see why they were receiving an Emmy, and to be introduced to shows or performances they may not have been aware of.

For the first time since 1979, the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards have become the newest entry into the entertainment world of kudofests breaking away from its former home, The Daytime Emmys.  With over 3,000 entries this year, needless to say, it was a crowded and diverse field.

Courtesy/NATAS

In two high points of the ceremony, Sesame Street’s beloved Bob McGrath, who passed away eight days ago, and beloved Emilio Delgado, who passes away earlier this year, were honored by their longtime castmates Alan Muraoka and Martin P. Robinson. The two also introduced the In-Memoriam package.

Later, Laurence Fishburne presented the first Children’s and Family Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award to his good friend, Levar Burton (ex-Reading Rainbow). Burton was honored not only for his body of work but his unwavering passion and mission to support children’s literacy and knowledge. Burton was saluted in a video package by the likes of: Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Mayim Bialik and Run DMC’s Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and more.

As for the awards themselves, Netflix’s Heartstopper took home the most gold receiving four statuettes including for: Young Teen Series, Guest Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program for Oscar winner Olivia Colman, the lead of the series, Kit Connor, was recognized as the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program, and Alice Oseman for Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Program.

Another Oscar winner, Dame Helen Mirren, was named Outstanding Host for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses.

Courtesy/NATAS

HBO Max’s Sesame Street took top honors in the Outstanding Preschool Series category, while The Baby-Sitters Club received the final award of the evening for Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series.

Tonight’s ceremonies were hosted by former 30 Rock star, and current star of the children’s show, Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show‘s, Jack McBrayer. The show opened with a dance routine from the young performers of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Below is the list of winners from the 1st Children’s and Family Emmy Awards:

Outstanding Preschool Series

Sesame Street (HBO Max) 

Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series

The Baby-Sitters Club (Netflix)

Outstanding Young Teen Series

Heartstopper (Netflix)

Outstanding Fiction Special

Sneakerella (Disney+)

Outstanding Nonfiction Program

Who Are You, Charlie Brown? (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Preschool Animated Series

Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Series

City of Ghosts (Netflix)

Outstanding Special Class Animated Program

Hilda and the Mountain King (Netflix)

Outstanding Short Form Program

We the People (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program

Kit Connor Heartstopper (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program

Nonso Anozie as Tommy Jepperd, Sweet Tooth (Netflix)

Outstanding Younger Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program

Quinn Copeland as Izzy, Punky Brewster (Peacock)

Outstanding Guest Performance in Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program

Olivia Colman as Sarah Nelson, Heartstopper (Netflix) 

Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program

Daniel Ross as Donald Duck, Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (Disney Junior) 

Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program

Eric Bauza as Bugs Bunny, Marvin the Martian, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Looney Tunes Cartoons (HBO/HBO Max) 

Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program

Andy Walken as Young Durpleton, Centaurworld (Netflix) 

Outstanding Host

Dame Helen Mirren, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses (Cartoon Network I TBS) 

Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Program

Heartstopper (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Program

The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+) 

So, what do you think about the night’s big winners? If you watched the live stream of the ceremonies, what was your impressions or favorite moment in the show? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.