Television’s brightest daytime stars gathered under one roof as the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards celebrated the year’s biggest moments in soap operas, talk shows, and daytime drama. The glamorous ceremony, hosted by Access Hollywood anchor Mario Lopez, took place on Friday, 17 October 2025, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California.
Fans and critics alike were buzzing over standout victories, tearful speeches, and a few surprise upsets that reshaped the daytime TV landscape. The 52nd Annual Daytime Emmys delivered high drama, heartfelt speeches, and history-making wins that underscored why daytime television remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring traditions. Want to know the Daytime Emmys 2025 Winners List and other buzz of the Night, then read the below article.
Highlights From the Night
The 2025 Daytime Emmys were nothing short of a celebration of storytelling, talent, and legacy. ABC’s “General Hospital” once again stole the spotlight, taking home seven major awards, including Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Writing, and Directing. This marked the soap’s fifth consecutive win in the top drama category.
Host Mario Lopez, returning for his fourth consecutive year, kept the evening lively with charm and nostalgia, noting that “daytime television continues to evolve; but the passion of its fans never fades.”
Elsewhere, Drew Barrymore earned her first-ever Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host, celebrating her heartfelt approach to daytime interviews. Live With Kelly and Mark claimed Outstanding Daytime Talk Series, continuing its reign after a strong 2024 showing.
The night also saw a historic milestone as Sir David Attenborough, 99, became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner ever for his narration in Netflix’s Secret Lives of Orangutans. His win was one of three for the Netflix nature documentary.
Daytime Emmys 2025 Quick Facts
| Update On | Daytime Emmys 2025 Winners List |
| Event Name | 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards |
| Location | Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California |
| Date | 17, October 2025 |
| Organized By | National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) |
| Televised On | The Emmys App / watch.theemmys.tv |
| Hosted By | Mario Lopez |
| Total Categories | 50+ across Drama, Talk, Culinary, and Children’s Programming |
Full Winners List: Daytime Emmys 2025
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
- Winner – General Hospital (ABC).
- Nominees – Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama (Actress)
- Winner – Nancy Lee Grahn, General Hospital.
- Nominees – Sharon Case, Eileen Davidson, Melissa Claire Egan, Michelle Stafford, Laura Wright.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama (Actor)
- Winner – Paul Telfer, Days of Our Lives.
- Nominees – Peter Bergman, Eric Martsolf, Greg Rikaart, Dominic Zamprogna.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Winner – Susan Walters, The Young and the Restless.
Nominees – Linsey Godfrey, Courtney Hope, Kate Mansi, Emily O’Brien.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Winner – Jonathan Jackson, General Hospital.
- Nominees – Tajh Bellow, Blake Berris, Michael Graziadei, Gregory Harrison.
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series
- Winner – Alley Mills, General Hospital
- Nominees – Linden Ashby, Clint Howard, Jacqueline Lopez, Valarie Pettiford, Avery Kristen Pohl
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
- Winner – Live With Kelly and Mark.
- Nominees – The Drew Barrymore Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The View.
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
- Winner – Drew Barrymore, The Drew Barrymore Show.
- Nominees – Hoda Kotb & Jenna Bush Hager, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos, Jennifer Hudson.
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
- Winner – Entertainment Tonight.
- Nominees – Access Hollywood, E! News, Extra.
Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series
- Winner – Delicious Miss Brown, Food Network.
- Nominees – Be My Guest With Ina Garten, Emeril Cooks, Lidia’s Kitchen, Selena + Restaurant.
Outstanding Culinary Host
- Winner – Kardea Brown, Delicious Miss Brown.
Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program
- Winner – Hot Bench.
Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series
- Winner – General Hospital.
Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series
- Winner – General Hospital.
Biggest Winners & Surprise Moments
The 2025 Daytime Emmys were dominated by familiar favorites, yet still delivered some heartfelt surprises. General Hospital reigned supreme with seven trophies, reinforcing its decades-long dominance in the genre. Its creative team swept the writing and directing categories, cementing the ABC soap’s place in Emmy history.
Meanwhile, Netflix and Apple TV+ continued to expand their influence in the daytime field. Netflix’s Secret Lives of Orangutans and Black Barbie each won multiple awards, signaling a powerful shift toward streaming-based programming.
Perhaps the evening’s most emotional moment came when Sir David Attenborough, appearing via video, accepted his award with humility “At nearly a century old, I am still learning from the natural world every day,” he said, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd.
What’s New This Year at Daytime Emmys?
This year’s ceremony introduced new categories and format updates reflecting the changing landscape of daytime entertainment. NATAS split the Culinary Series award into Instructional and Cultural segments, while expanding the Travel and Nature categories to spotlight more streaming and global productions.
A brand-new honor, Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Program was awarded to Lisa Yamada from The Bold and the Beautiful. The move signals a broader recognition of young actors entering the daytime world through both traditional and digital platforms.
NATAS President Adam Sharp remarked that the updates “ensure the Daytime Emmys continue to evolve alongside the creativity of the industry,” highlighting the growing crossover between broadcast, cable, and streaming content.
Audience Reactions & Industry Impact
Social media lit up throughout the night with the hashtag #DaytimeEmmys2025 trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Fans celebrated General Hospital’s dominance while congratulating Drew Barrymore for her long-awaited win.
Entertainment reporters praised the balance of nostalgia and innovation, a nod to the ongoing evolution of daytime TV. Critics at Variety and Deadline noted the rise of “digital-first daytime programming,” as YouTube and streaming platforms gain eligibility.
NATAS officials emphasized that this year’s strong viewer engagement and cross-platform buzz reaffirm the vitality of daytime entertainment in a fragmented media landscape.
Quick Facts Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Nominees | 120+ |
| Major Winners | General Hospital, The Drew Barrymore Show, Live With Kelly and Mark |
| Streaming Platforms Recognized | Yes – Netflix, Apple TV+, YouTube Originals |
| Trending Hashtag | #DaytimeEmmys2025 |
| Notable First-Time Winners | Drew Barrymore, Lisa Yamada, Sir David Attenborough |
The Future of Daytime Television
The 2025 results paint a clear picture of the industry’s direction; traditional soaps remain the heart of daytime storytelling, but streaming platforms are redefining what “daytime” even means. Talk shows are more personality-driven than ever, and docu-series and nature specials are finding new homes on digital platforms.
With crossover stars like Kelly Clarkson and Drew Barrymore bridging entertainment formats, the future of daytime television is dynamic, hybrid, and interactive; a space where heartfelt human stories meet global audiences.
A Night That Reinforced Heart of Daytime TV
As the curtains closed on the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards, one thing was clear, daytime television continues to evolve, innovate, and inspire millions of viewers every day. From the legendary sets of General Hospital to the modern stages of The Drew Barrymore Show, this year’s winners reminded audiences that the heart of daytime TV still beats as strong as ever.
