The 2026 Emmy Awards kicked off this weekend with the Creative Arts categories, and Apple TV has surged ahead in the early stages. With the Primetime Emmy ceremony set for September 14, the streamer has already racked up 20 wins — the most so far — thanks largely to its new comedy series Widows Bay, which snagged eight awards.
Apple TV outpaces rivals in early Emmy count
Leading the pack, Apple has amassed 20 Emmy Awards during the Creative Arts phase. Trailing not far behind are HBO Max with 16 awards and Netflix with 13. While Netflix and HBO Max are expected to pull ahead once the Primetime Emmys results—covering major categories like Best Drama and Comedy—are announced, Apple is in a strong position heading into the final ceremony.
Widows Bay, Pluribus & Co.: standout winners
Widows Bay dominated its category haul, earning honors including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy, Production Design for a Half-Hour Series, Casting, Cinematography for Half-Hour, Music Composition (Original Dramatic Score), Music Supervision, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing. Its sweep positions it as a frontrunner for top comedy awards this coming Monday.
Other Apple TV titles also fared well: Pluribus took home four awards in areas like Production Design (One Hour), Picture Editing for a Drama, Main Title Theme Music, and Sound Mixing; Margo’s Got Money Troubles won three for Costume, Hairstyling, and Makeup. Meanwhile, Palm Royale earned three awards in Choreography, Period Costumes, and Period/Fantasy Makeup; the documentary Mr. Scorsese claimed one.
Beyond its television content, Apple’s total includes a win for its commercial “I’m Not Remarkable,” bringing the tally to 20. The company entered the season with the highest number of nominations at 89, demonstrating critics’ appreciation for its wide-ranging creative work.
Looking ahead: Primetime’s turn for major awards
While Apple is expected to dominate in comedy, drama is likely to go to heavy hitters like The Pitt. All eyes are on the Primetime Emmy ceremony next Monday to see if Apple can convert its early Emmy momentum into wins in the top-tier categories.
What this means: Apple TV’s strong performance in Creative Arts underscores its growing authority in original content—particularly in comedy. Widows Bay not only delivered a high volume of wins but may also mark a shift in how comedy series are recognized. Come Primetime Emmys, every nomination counts. Apple has built serious momentum; whether it holds up in the headline categories will shape narratives around streaming powerhouses going forward. This could be a tipping point in how prestige television is defined—and awarded—moving ahead.
