2025 Emmy Betting Preview: Will Streaming Finally Crush Network TV?

The nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards have been released, offering a clear view of how the television industry continues to evolve. The long-standing question of whether streaming platforms would overtake traditional networks appears to have been answered, at least when it comes to awards recognition. Services like HBO/Max, Apple TV+, and Netflix received a large share of the nominations, highlighting how much the focus of TV production and viewing has shifted.

Scheduled programming on broadcast networks has steadily been replaced by on-demand streaming, and this year’s Emmy nominations reflect that shift more than ever. Streaming and premium cable shows now dominate the major categories. While a few network programs have remained in the conversation, most of the attention has shifted toward newer platforms.

The Streaming Juggernauts: A Numbers Game

The 2025 nomination totals show just how much streaming platforms now dominate. HBO/Max leads with 142 nominations, its highest total to date. That figure includes 24 nominations for The Penguin and 23 for The White Lotus. Netflix earned 120 nominations, supported by titles like Adolescence and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story which were both huge hits when they were first released.

Apple TV+ also had a strong showing with 81 nominations. Its standout series include Severance, the most-nominated drama with 27 nods, and The Studio, the most-nominated comedy with 23. Apple’s strategy of focusing on a smaller slate of high-quality shows continues to gain traction with Emmy voters and seems to show that quality over quantity is what the viewers and the critics want.

In comparison, the traditional broadcast networks had a much smaller presence. ABC received 37 nominations, NBC 29, CBS 26, and Fox just seven. While Abbott Elementary continues to do well for ABC, it is one of the few network programs still receiving consistent awards attention. The days when network television could reliably expect to compete for the top prizes across multiple categories appear to be over.

Outstanding Drama Series: A Streaming Showdown

This year’s Outstanding Drama Series category offers a clear view of how far network television has fallen in terms of awards recognition. All eight nominees come from streaming services or premium cable networks, leaving the traditional broadcasters completely shut out.

Apple TV+’s “Severance” enters the race as a formidable contender, having significantly increased its nomination count from its first season. The series continues to earn praise for its unique premise and strong performances, particularly Adam Scott’s portrayal of a man leading two very different lives at work and at home. Its mix of psychological tension and workplace satire has resonated with both critics and Emmy voters.

HBO/Max, which had multiple shows nominated in this category, enters with several strong contenders. The Pitt, a medical drama starring Brad Pitt, has earned comparisons to classics like ER but with a more modern and intense tone. The Last of Us returns with high expectations after a breakout first season, and The White Lotus continues its anthology format with a new setting and cast, attracting another round of critical acclaim.

Netflix also remains competitive with The Diplomat, a political drama that blends international intrigue with personal conflict. Hulu’s Paradise, a crime thriller with a slow-burn narrative, rounds out the category. Each nominee reflects the increased ambition and production value that streaming platforms have brought to serialized storytelling.

Outstanding Comedy Series: A Battle of Acclaimed Favorites

The comedy category is slightly more mixed, though streaming still dominates. ABC’s Abbott Elementary remains a strong representative of network TV, with nominations for writing, acting, and overall series. Quinta Brunson is once again recognized for her work on the show.

Apple TV+’s The Studio, a behind-the-scenes comedy about the entertainment industry, received 23 nominations and has been well received for its cast and sharp writing. Other major contenders include FX’s The Bear, HBO’s Hacks, Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Even in comedy, the majority of nominees come from outside the traditional networks.

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: A Showcase of Prestige Storytelling

The limited or anthology series category has become known for attracting big names and high-impact storytelling, and this year is no different. HBO/Max’s The Penguin, a dark crime drama set in the Batman universe, leads the category with 24 nominations. Colin Farrell’s performance as the title character has received widespread praise, and the show’s visual style and tone have been compared to major theatrical releases.

Netflix has two entries in the category: Adolescence, a coming-of-age story with a strong emotional core, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which continues Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology format. Both shows have received strong reviews and drew large audiences, helping Netflix maintain its presence in this increasingly competitive space.

FX’s Dying for Sex, based on a true story and adapted from a podcast, has also received critical acclaim. Michelle Williams leads the cast with a performance that has been described as one of the best of her career. The show balances heavy subject matter with moments of levity, earning it recognition for both writing and acting.

This category continues to be where streaming services shine, offering actors and creators the opportunity to tell complete stories in a shorter format. With most nominees featuring high production values, well-known directors, and A-list casts, the limited series format has become a reliable way to attract awards attention and it’s one area where streamers have consistently outperformed traditional networks.

The Future of Television: A New World Order

The 2025 Emmy nominations confirm that the center of gravity in television has shifted. Today, most of the critical attention, production investment, and awards recognition goes to streaming platforms and premium cable. For broadcast networks, the challenge now may be to focus on areas where they still perform well, such as live events, sports, and news; all formats that streamers have not yet fully replicated.

That said, streamers face their own challenges, including subscriber fatigue and the pressure to deliver constant hits. However, as far as awards recognition goes, the top-tier content is clearly coming from these platforms.

The Emmy Awards, set to air on September 14, will highlight the best of the year’s television. But with the nominations already showing a clear trend, the broader takeaway is already in place: streaming platforms are no longer the future.