HBO series "The Pitt" and the comedy series "Hacks" earned the most nominations for the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards on Wednesday.

The nominations signal a shift in industry preferences toward these two series, which have dominated the critical landscape leading up to the 78th awards cycle.

"The Pitt" led the field with 25 nominations [1]. The series follows a medical drama format and has seen significant critical and industry acclaim during the voting process [4]. Its high volume of nods positions it as the frontrunner for the top prizes of the night.

Closely following is the comedy "Hacks," which received 24 nominations [2]. The show continues its streak of success within the Television Academy, marking a historic run for the series as it competes against other top-tier programming [3].

The announcements for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on July 8 [2], marking the official start of the competition phase for the U.S. television industry. The Television Academy's voting process determined the final lists based on peer reviews, and industry standards [4].

Both series are now positioned to compete in multiple categories, ranging from acting and writing to directing, and overall production. The concentration of nominations in these two shows highlights a narrowing gap between the top drama and comedy contenders of the year.

“"The Pitt" led the field with 25 nominations.”

The dominance of "The Pitt" and "Hacks" suggests a consolidation of critical favor within the HBO ecosystem. By securing nearly equal numbers of nominations, these two shows have established a dual-threat dynamic that will likely define the narrative of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, potentially squeezing out smaller independent productions.