Disney, HBO edge out Netflix in Emmy nominations
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Ron Cephas Jones speaks during the 2021 prime-time Emmy nominations announcement. Photo: Getty Images
HBO and HBO Max led all Hollywood studios with 130 nominations for the 73rd annual Emmy awards, the Television Academy said Tuesday. If you add up the nominations for networks owned by Disney, including Disney+, Hulu, FX, Nat Geo, and ABC, the company topped HBO and HBO Max with 146 nominations.
Why it matters: It's an important milestone for both companies, which are now competing with several tech giants for TV eyeballs, including Netflix, Apple and Amazon. Netflix took home 129 nominations.
The big picture: With a huge number of Emmy nominations going to streaming shows this year, it's safe to say that streaming television has officially started to edge out traditional TV series when it comes to awards.
By the numbers: Several HBO and HBO Max shows took home a number of nominations, including "Hacks," "Mare of Easttown," "The Flight Attendant," "Lovecraft Country," and "I May Destroy You," per Variety.
- Following HBO and Netflix, Disney+ received 71 nominations, thanks in large part to its hit series "The Mandalorian," which tied with Netflix's "The Crown" for the most nominations for a series. Disney's "WandaVision" came in a close second with 23 nominations.
- NBCUniversal did well for a broadcast network, pulling in 46 nominations, with about half going to "Saturday Night Live." Its broadcast rival, CBS, received 26 nominations, mostly for its special programming, like the Super Bowl.
- Apple TV+ received 34 nominations, with most going to its soccer comedy, "Ted Lasso." Hulu brought in 25, mostly for the "Handmaid's Tale." Amazon Prime Video took home 18 nominations.
Between the lines: There were also some notable "firsts" this year.
- "Pose" star Mj Rodriguez became the first trans woman nominated in a leading acting category. She was nominated for best actress in a drama series.
- Both Apple and HBO Max earned their first nominations in the Best Comedy category, per Engadget.
Flashback: HBO's "Watchmen" leads 2020 Emmy nominations with 26
