The 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards 2025: Full Winners List, Biggest Snubs, And Historic Triumphs

The 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, held on Friday, October 17, 2025, delivered a night of expected triumphs and a few shocking upsets, solidifying the current landscape of daytime television excellence. The ceremony, which celebrated the best in daytime programming across drama, talk, lifestyle, and news, saw a major sweep by a beloved soap opera and a historic first-time win for a daytime talk show host, providing a definitive capstone to the 2024 television season. The event, held at the prestigious Pasadena Civic Auditorium, was a star-studded affair that recognized the hard work and artistry that keeps millions of viewers engaged daily.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented the awards, showcasing a renewed focus on both traditional network programming and the burgeoning digital and streaming content that now defines the genre. This year’s celebration was particularly notable for the sheer dominance of one long-running drama, while also highlighting the growing diversity of talent and programming being honored by the Academy in the 37 competitive categories. For fans and industry insiders alike, the 52nd ceremony was a powerful reminder of daytime TV's enduring appeal and cultural significance.

The Complete List of Major Winners and Record-Breaking Triumphs

The 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards, hosted by the ever-charismatic Mario Lopez, was a night dominated by veteran programs making their mark, alongside groundbreaking achievements in the talk show and lifestyle categories. The eligibility window for the awards spanned the calendar year of 2024, ensuring that all nominated programs were fresh in the minds of the voting body. The ceremony, which was broadcast live, was a spectacle of glamour and heartfelt speeches, but the real story was the hardware being handed out.

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The biggest story of the night was the remarkable performance of ABC's long-running soap opera, General Hospital (GH). The show, set in the fictional city of Port Charles, secured an impressive seven awards, sweeping several key categories and reaffirming its status as a powerhouse in the genre. Its rival, The Young and the Restless (Y&R), which led the pack with 19 nominations going into the event, still claimed significant victories, but the night belonged to GH.

Outstanding Drama Series and Performance Categories

The most coveted award of the night, Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, went to General Hospital. This win was a testament to the show's compelling storylines, high production values, and the dedication of its ensemble cast and crew. The victory was a significant moment for the show, which has consistently been a contender.

• Outstanding Daytime Drama Series: General Hospital (ABC)
• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series (Actress): The competition was fierce, but the award went to a veteran performer whose nuanced portrayal captivated the audience throughout the year's run.
• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series (Actor): This category often features the most dramatic upsets, and this year was no exception, with the winner delivering a powerful acceptance speech.
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series (Actress): A standout performance from a General Hospital star, contributing significantly to the show's overall sweep.
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series (Actor): The winner in this category was highly praised for their multi-layered character development.
• Outstanding Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Recognizing the future stars of the genre, this award highlighted a fresh face from the soap world.

The drama categories underscored the enduring popularity and high quality of the four major network soap operas: General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives (DAYS), and The Bold and the Beautiful (B&B). The wins for GH were a clear indication that the Academy voters were particularly impressed with the show's 2024 season arcs, which included high-stakes medical dramas and intricate family conflicts.

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Talk Shows, Lifestyle, and The Drew Barrymore Moment

Beyond the world of soap operas, the 52nd Daytime Emmys celebrated a diverse range of programming, particularly in the ever-evolving talk show and lifestyle genres. These categories often reflect the changing media landscape, and this year’s winners were a testament to successful pivots and enduring formats. The biggest moment in the talk show arena involved a beloved Hollywood star finally taking home the gold.

Drew Barrymore’s First Emmy Win: After years of critical acclaim and a devoted following for The Drew Barrymore Show, the charismatic host finally secured her first-ever Daytime Emmy. The victory was widely celebrated, marking a significant milestone in her career as a television personality. Her win for a competitive talk show category was a heartfelt moment of the evening, resonating with fans who have followed her journey from actress to successful daytime host.

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series: The award for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series went to Live With Kelly and Mark. This win was a major achievement for the show and its hosts, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, proving that the revamped format and their natural chemistry have resonated strongly with both viewers and the Academy. The show's victory highlighted its ability to maintain a fresh, engaging, and consistently high-quality broadcast in a crowded field.

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Other notable winners in the unscripted and news categories included:

• Outstanding Entertainment News Series: This award went to Entertainment Tonight (ET), continuing its long tradition of excellence in celebrity and pop culture reporting.
• Outstanding Culinary Series: Recognizing the popularity of food-focused programming, the winner in this category showcased exceptional skill and engaging presentation.
• Outstanding Instructional and Lifestyle Program: This award highlighted a program that successfully blended education with entertainment, providing viewers with valuable, engaging content.
• Outstanding Preschool, Children’s, or Family Viewing Program: A crucial category that recognizes the importance of quality programming for younger audiences.

Historic Achievements and Behind-the-Scenes Excellence

The 52nd Daytime Emmys also recognized exceptional talent in categories that often go unnoticed by the casual viewer, yet are absolutely critical to the success of any show. Furthermore, a non-traditional daytime figure made history with a record-breaking win, underscoring the broadening scope of the awards.

Sir David Attenborough’s Record: In a surprising yet welcome development, the legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough broke a record with a win in one of the informational programming categories. His continuous work in nature documentaries, which often air during daytime slots, was recognized by the Academy, further expanding the definition of "daytime television" excellence.

Creative Arts and Technical Triumphs: While the major awards garner the most attention, the Creative Arts & Technical Emmys, often presented in a separate ceremony, are vital. These awards recognize the exceptional work in areas such as Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series, Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series, Outstanding Technical Direction, and Outstanding Costume Design. The wins in these categories—many of which contributed to General Hospital's overall tally—demonstrated the high caliber of behind-the-scenes professionals in daytime television.

Rule Changes and Industry Focus: The 52nd ceremony was also the first to fully implement certain NATAS Emmy Rules changes, including a specific clarification regarding performer eligibility. For the 2025 awards, a rule was in place stating that if a performer had been nominated or won in a Lead or Supporting Performer category, they would not be eligible to submit in the Guest Actor category. This change aims to ensure a fairer distribution of recognition across different levels of performance commitment.

The 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards served as a vibrant celebration of the industry, honoring decades-long traditions while enthusiastically embracing new voices and formats. From the emotional wins of veteran soap stars to the well-deserved recognition for talk show hosts like Drew Barrymore and the record-breaking achievement of Sir David Attenborough, the ceremony solidified the fact that daytime television remains a powerful and dynamic force in the entertainment world.

As the industry looks ahead, the standards set by the 2025 winners will undoubtedly raise the bar for the next season, promising another year of compelling and high-quality daytime programming for millions of dedicated viewers.