Hollywood Reporter Publishes Initial Emmy Predictions for Drama and Comedy Series
The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg has released his first forecast for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, covering 17 categories with a focus on drama and comedy series. The predictions list frontrunners, major threats, possibilities, and long shots based on anticipated viewer exposure and Academy member viewing habits.
No machine-readable author provided. YF666~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)The Hollywood Reporter has published Scott Feinberg's initial predictions for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. Feinberg, the outlet's executive editor for awards coverage, shifts focus from the Oscars to the Emmys after tying for the best pundit score by correctly predicting 21 of 24 Oscar categories.
This installment covers 17 categories, with updates planned leading to key dates including the eligibility cutoff on May 31, nominations voting from June 11 to 22, nominations announcement on July 8, final voting from August 17 to 26, Creative Arts Awards on September 5 and 6, and the main ceremony on September 14.
Feinberg explains that his assessments draw from sampling numerous shows submitted for consideration and evaluating their content and quality. He also assesses the extent to which Television Academy members have viewed the programs by consulting voters, monitoring campaigns, and making informed estimates.
Viewership among Academy members remains a key factor, as votes typically go to seen content.
the Best Drama Series category, Feinberg ranks The Pitt as the top frontrunner, an HBO Max series with 15 episodes airing from January 8 to April 16, 2026.
Other frontrunners include Pluribus on Apple TV+ with 9 episodes from November 7 to December 24, 2025; The Diplomat on Netflix with 8 episodes starting October 16, 2025; Task on HBO with 7 episodes from September 7 to October 19, 2025; Slow Horses on Apple TV+ with 6 episodes from September 24 to October 29, 2025; Paradise on Hulu with 8 episodes from February 23 to March 30, 2026; Stranger Things on Netflix with 8 episodes from November 26 to December 31, 2025; and Landman on Paramount+ with 10 episodes from November 16, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Major threats in drama include Fallout on Prime Video with 8 episodes from December 16, 2025, to February 3, 2026; The Gilded Age on HBO with 8 episodes from June 22 to August 10, 2025; The Morning Show on Apple TV+ with 10 episodes from September 17 to November 19, 2025; The Madison on Paramount+ with 6 episodes from March 14 to 21, 2026; and Industry on HBO with 8 episodes from January 11 to March 1, 2026.
Possibilities encompass The Testaments on Hulu with 10 episodes from April 8 to May 27, 2026; A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO with 6 episodes from January 18 to February 22, 2026; Euphoria on HBO with 8 episodes from April 12 to May 31, 2026; The Night Manager on Amazon Prime with 6 episodes from January 1 to February 1, 2026; and Alien: Earth on FX/FX on Hulu with 8 episodes from August 12 to September 23, 2025.
Long shots for drama series are The Boys on Prime Video with 8 episodes from April 8 to May 20, 2026; Matlock on CBS with 16 episodes starting October 12, 2025; IT: Welcome to Derry on HBO with 8 episodes from October 26 to December 14, 2025; The Audacity on AMC with 8 episodes from April 12 to May 31, 2026; and Down Cemetery Road on Apple TV+ with 8 episodes from October 29 to December 10, 2025.
Comedy Series, frontrunners start with Hacks on HBO Max with 10 episodes from April 9 to May 28, 2026.
Additional frontrunners are Shrinking on Apple TV+ with 11 episodes from January 28 to April 8, 2026; Only Murders in the Building on Hulu with 10 episodes from September 9 to October 28, 2025; Abbott Elementary on ABC with 22 episodes from October 1, 2025, to April 22, 2026; The Bear on FX with 10 episodes starting June 25, 2025; Nobody Wants This on Netflix with 10 episodes starting October 23, 2025; The Lowdown on FX with 8 episodes from September 23 to November 4, 2025; and Big Mistakes on Netflix with 8 episodes starting April 9, 2026.
Major threats in comedy include Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat on Prime Video with 8 episodes from March 20 to April 3, 2026; The Comeback on HBO with 8 episodes from March 22 to May 10, 2026; and Margo’s Got Money Trouble, as listed in the partial forecast.
These predictions reflect Feinberg's projections of Academy voting patterns rather than personal preferences.
The full list will expand in future updates as more categories are added.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- Early April 2025
Scott Feinberg publishes initial Emmy predictions for 17 categories.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - March 2025
Feinberg shifts focus from Oscars to Emmys after accurate predictions.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - May 31, 2025
Emmy eligibility cutoff occurs for submitted content.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - July 8, 2025
Emmy nominations are announced following voting period.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - September 14, 2025
78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony takes place.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter
Potential Impact
- 01
Predictions may influence studio campaigns for Emmy submissions.
- 02
Increased attention on listed series could boost viewership numbers.
- 03
Future updates to forecasts will shape industry expectations.
- 04
Academy members may prioritize viewing frontrunner shows.
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