Which Networks Lead the Nominations? A Bettor’s Emmy Breakdown

As the television industry eagerly awaits the unveiling of the 77th Primetime Emmy Award nominations in July 2025, followed by the prestigious ceremony in September, keen observers and betting enthusiasts are already scrutinising the landscape. While a full year of outstanding television still needs to unfold and captivate audiences and critics alike, the triumphs of the 2024 Emmy Awards offer a compelling glimpse into which networks might be poised for continued success. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrated television excellence from June 2023 to May 2024, saw a significant shift in the traditional power dynamics, with FX, Netflix, and HBO/Max emerging as the dominant forces.

The 2024 Emmy season was particularly notable for FX, which enjoyed a record-breaking year. The network, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, asserted its dominance by securing an impressive 36 Emmy statuettes in total, when combining Primetime and Creative Arts awards. This remarkable feat marked a first for FX, historically outpaced by giants like HBO and Netflix in overall Emmy hauls. The Walt Disney Company as a whole also celebrated a landmark achievement, taking home a staggering 60 Emmys, setting a new record for the most wins by a single company in a year.

With the 2025 Emmy nominations still on the horizon, a look back at the 2024 winners provides a strong indication of the networks likely to be frontrunners.

FX: Riding High on Critical Darlings

FX’s stellar performance at the 2024 Emmys was largely fuelled by the phenomenal success of two particular shows: “Shōgun” and “The Bear”. “Shōgun,” the epic historical drama, was a cultural phenomenon and an awards magnet, amassing a record-breaking 18 Emmy Awards in total for its first season, including 14 Creative Arts Emmys. This included the coveted award for Outstanding Drama Series. “The Bear,” a critically acclaimed comedy-drama, also continued its impressive run, securing 11 awards, including seven Creative Arts Emmys. While “Hacks” ultimately took the Best Comedy Series award, “The Bear’s” numerous wins in other categories, including acting accolades for Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas, underscored its quality and popularity.

The sheer number of wins for “Shōgun” – the most for any single season of a show in Emmy history – positions FX as a formidable contender for the 2025 nominations. If “Shōgun” maintains its quality and critical reception into a potential second season (eligibility for 2025 would depend on its air dates falling within the June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, window), it is highly likely to feature prominently in the drama categories once again. Similarly, the continued success and critical adoration for “The Bear” suggest it will remain a strong Emmy contender in the comedy fields. FX’s ability to produce such high-calibre, award-winning content across different genres signals its strength heading into the next awards cycle. The network’s “Fargo” also contributed to its success with Lamorne Morris winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series.

Netflix: Streaming Giant Maintains its Awards Clout

Netflix, a perennial powerhouse in the streaming wars and at the Emmys, also had a strong showing in 2024, securing a total of 24 Emmy awards (six Primetime, 18 Creative Arts). While perhaps overshadowed by FX’s record haul, Netflix demonstrated its continued ability to produce diverse and acclaimed programming. The standout for Netflix was “Baby Reindeer,” which captivated audiences and critics alike, taking home four Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series. Creator and star Richard Gadd also won for writing and lead actor in a limited series.

Other Netflix productions like “The Crown” and “Ripley” also received recognition, with Elizabeth Debicki winning for “The Crown” and Steven Zaillian for directing “Ripley”. Looking ahead to 2025, Netflix’s sheer volume of content and its consistent investment in prestige productions suggest it will undoubtedly be a major player in the nominations. Series like “Squid Game”, “The Diplomat”, and new critical hits will likely be in the Emmy conversation. The platform’s global reach and diverse slate, from gripping dramas to compelling limited series and documentaries, provide a broad base for potential nominations. In 2024, Netflix led in terms of total nominations received, with 107 nods, indicating a strong pipeline of critically recognised content.

HBO/Max: A Legacy of Excellence Continues

HBO, often considered the gold standard for prestige television, along with its streaming platform Max, rounded out the top three networks at the 2024 Emmys with 14 total wins (six Primetime, eight Creative Arts). While this might seem like a “down year” by HBO’s incredibly high historical standards, especially after losing juggernauts “Succession” and “Barry,” the network still produced award-winning content. “Hacks” was a significant winner for HBO/Max, clinching the coveted award for Best Comedy Series and earning Jean Smart an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. “True Detective: Night Country” also brought home an acting award for Jodie Foster.

Despite facing increased competition and undergoing internal restructuring, HBO’s reputation for quality remains largely intact. For the 2025 Emmy cycle, HBO/Max is expected to come back strong. Returning critical darlings like “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus” are hotly tipped for numerous nominations. New series like “The Pitt” are also generating early buzz. HBO’s consistent track record of producing critically acclaimed dramas and comedies means it can never be counted out as a leading contender for Emmy nominations. The network received 91 nominations in 2024, reaffirming its position as a critical favourite.

Looking Ahead to July 2025

While the 2024 Emmy wins provide a solid foundation for predicting which networks will lead the charge in 2025, the television year is long, and new hits can emerge unexpectedly. Bettors and Emmy enthusiasts will be closely watching the critical reception of new and returning series throughout the eligibility period. However, based on their recent track record of producing high-quality, award-winning content, FX, Netflix, and HBO/Max are undoubtedly the networks to beat. Their ability to attract top talent, invest in ambitious projects, and resonate with both critics and audiences positions them as the frontrunners for dominating the 77th Primetime Emmy Award nominations come July 2025. The battle for Emmy gold promises to be as thrilling as ever.