Breaking News
Daytime Emmy Category Changes Announced: Outstanding Younger Performer Eliminated; Daytime Program Hosts Revised
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will look a bit different with the elimination of some categories and a redefinition of others as announced on Thursday by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
The changes include the elimination of what has become the controversial Outstanding Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama series category, where the age range was so vast that it had younger children competing with older teens or young adults.
That means that General Hospital’s Eden McCoy (Josslyn) will become, for all intent and purposes, the final winner of this category as she took the honors for her work at the 50th annual Daytime Emmy Awards handed out in December of 2023.
Photo: JPI
This category had under gone a myriad of changes and age eligibility rules over recent years. Younger performers were first honored at the Emmys in 1985. With the removal of this category, younger performers are now eligible to submit for Supporting Actor or Actress or Lead Actor or Actress category. The flipside of the change is that there is one less category for Daytime Drama performers to be named in.
Other changes as announced by NATAS include merging ‘Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Series’ and ‘Outstanding Writing for Daytime Non-Fiction Special’ into ‘Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program.’
Additionally, the Daytime Program Host category has been split into two categories – Daytime Personality–Daily, and Daytime Personality–Non-Daily. The complete list of changes is below.
Photo: NATAS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President of NATAS expressed: “Programming is always changing, and NATAS continues to adapt its competition rules to reflect these shifts in the television landscape. We’re looking forward to gathering again at the 51st Daytime Emmys to celebrate all the nominees and the entertaining and enlightening programs they create.”
Photo: JPI
For a further breakdown of the category changes, see below:
Daytime Program Host Eligibility
Hosts, Co-Hosts, and Correspondents from Entertainment News and Legal/Courtroom Programs (e.g. the judges and bailiffs) are now eligible within the Daytime Personality – Daily or Daytime Personality – Non-Daily category depending on airing/streaming schedule. They also remain eligible in their respective Program categories but cannot win two Emmy statuettes for the same function, e.g. if a Program wins Outstanding Program and the Hosts win Outstanding Daytime Personality, the statuette defaults to the Host entry. Hosts from the same Program will be included in a single entry with all Hosts, Co-Hosts, Anchors and Correspondents on the same submission and the reel must contain footage that highlights all entrants.
Daytime Personality – Daily
Honoring Hosts, Co-Hosts, Anchors, and Correspondents on Daytime-eligible content that airs or streams daily AND/OR has more than 52 episodes per calendar year. Eligible genres are: Entertainment News, Legal/Courtroom, Travel/Adventure/Nature, Instructional/How-To, Lifestyle, Arts and Popular Culture, Educational and Informational, and Short Form.
Note: This does not affect Talk Series Hosts and Culinary Hosts who remain eligible only in their respective categories.
Daytime Personality – Non-Daily
Honoring Hosts, Co-Hosts, Anchors, Correspondents, and Narrators on Daytime-eligible content that airs or streams weekly or all at once AND/OR has fewer than 52 episodes per calendar year (regardless of how many were filmed or produced). Eligible genres are: Entertainment News, Legal/Courtroom, Travel/Adventure/Nature, Instructional/How-To, Lifestyle, Arts and Popular Culture, Educational and Informational, Daytime Special, and Short Form.
Note: This does not affect Talk Series Hosts and Culinary Hosts who remain eligible only in their respective categories.
NATAS also announced that the entry deadline for submissions for the competition will be February 22nd, with a late entry by March 7th. Judging will be from March 21-April 11, 2024 with the official nominations to be revealed the week of April 15th.
No word yet on the date of the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, but one would presume it will be back to sometime in June as it has been in previous years. Last years Daytime Emmys got pushed to December of 2023 due to the writers and performers strikes.
So, what do you think of the elimination of the Outstanding Younger Performer category? As well, as other category changes for this year’s 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Comment below.
While the cadre of performers who’ve won in the younger/juvenile/ingenue categories through the years is quite impressive, the narrowing of the age limit to 18 made it a category where children competed against children (not the best of looks).
A wise decision by the TV Academy.
I’m not happy with the younger talent getting placed in the same category as the “adults”. They used to give Junior Emmy’s, right? Why cut out the younger kids? There’s no way they have a chance against some of the powerhouse performers.
Now, if they only had qualifications to host the show, that would be something I’d whole-heartedly support.
The younger lead actress actor category was really getting ridiculous. I don’t see why they can’t do up until 12 for a child actor and then the others compete with the adults because it doesn’t really seem fair you have a kid going up against Maurice Bernard or Steve Burton. The Emmys are really becoming overrated because a lot of the actors that deserve to win don’t win. How in the world Melissa Claire Egan did not win last year is beyond me.
I’m not mad about the category for younger performer being eliminated, I think the Nicholas Chavez and eden McCoy can totally compete with their older peers.
Yes, you are right in a way but do you think it’s right for these two actors to compete against, say, the youngster that plays Leo or the little girl that plays Violet, etc?
So sad to hear another acting category being omitted but sadly a 20 year old winning over 2 ten year olds the writing was on the wall sadly the Emmy’s are becoming the general hospital awards it’s sickening the repeated win for best drama for this show sadly the scene has dwindled with only 4 shows but who wants to watch if you care about the other 3 and it’s constantly slanted towards one show
They still need a category for younger actors on soaps, they just need to cut it off at age 16. It’s not fair for child actors to have to compete with seasoned adult actors. Just another bad decision by the Daytime Emmys aimed at the soaps.
Breaking News
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday that the syndicated entertainment news series, Extra will be its partner for exclusive coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards being held on Friday, October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The 2026 Daytime Emmys as previously reported can be seen streamed via the The Emmys,YouTube channel, via watch.theemmys.tv, as well as on the official Emmys app, available for phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Here’s a breakdown of the pre, during and post Daytime Emmys coverage via Extra below!
Beginning Monday, October 26, Extra will feature five nights of dedicated Daytime Emmys segments leading up to the ceremony, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the award show.
In addition, Mona Kosar Abdi, Weekend Host & Senior Correspondent with Extra will host the pre-show red carpet stream on the @TheEmmys Youtube channel.
Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough will present during the ceremony, and correspondent Terri Seymour will also host coverage throughout the evening.
Extra’s weekend edition (A WEEK FOLLOWING the ceremony) will features notable red carpet moments, winner reactions, and exclusive footage from the night’s festivities.
The entertainment news program is also nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards going into the ceremony.
So, what do you think of Extra’s scheduled upcoming coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards starting on Monday? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
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! 😂💕”
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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