The countdown to television’s biggest night has officially begun, with the 2026 Emmy nominations being announced ahead of the Television Academy’s annual awards ceremony.Several of the year’s most acclaimed series are expected to be among the contenders, including Widow’s Bay, Beef, Pluribus and The Pitt, as networks and streaming platforms vie for recognition across acting, writing, directing and series categories. The nominees will set the stage for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air on NBC September 14.This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay, who was announced Tuesday as the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years. Nominees will be announced Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. ET during a livestream hosted by The Bear star Liza Colón-Zayas and Widow’s Bay actor Jeff Hiller. Two categories, however, will be revealed early. The nominees for Outstanding Variety Series and Outstanding Reality Competition Program will be announced during NBC’s Today show before the full nominations rollout begins.Mariska Hargitay will host the 2026 Emmy Awards, making her the first woman in 15 years to do so (AP Photo/Jordan Strauss)Keep checking back for the complete list of 2026 Emmy nominations, which will be updated live as they are announced.OUTSTANDING VARIETY SERIESOUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM