LOS ANGELES — ABC’s “General Hospital” captured the prize for outstanding daytime drama series on Friday, Oct. 30, headlining the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards at the Hollywood Palladium.
The annual event, which recognizes achievements across soap operas, daytime talk series, and lifestyle television, was staged at the Hollywood Palladium for the first time, Billboard reported. For the second straight year, the ceremony skipped linear television networks and streamed live on digital channels operated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, according to Billboard.
Drama Series and Acting Honors
The marquee drama victory added to an unprecedented streak for “General Hospital,” though outlets differed on the exact count. TVLine reported that the win represented the drama’s fifth straight victory in the category, whereas Billboard reported it was the show’s sixth consecutive win and its 19th drama series victory overall, both category records. The soap opera also secured Daytime Emmys for its drama writing team, casting, and a guest acting performance by Jeff Kober.
CBS newcomer “Beyond the Gates,” which arrived with 16 nominations, matched “General Hospital” with four total trophies, according to Billboard. Tamara Tunie took home the statuette for lead actress in a daytime drama for “Beyond the Gates,” while co-star Ambyr Michelle won for emerging talent. In the lead actor category, Scott Clifton of CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” took the award, Just Jared reported.
Acting honors in the supporting drama fields went to veterans of CBS’s “The Young and the Restless.” Beth Maitland won supporting actress for her portrayal of Traci Abbott, and Roger Howarth won supporting actor for his role as Matt Clark, according to lists compiled by TVLine and Just Jared. Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives” picked up the Emmy for drama directing team.
Clarkson Leads Tally Despite Host Loss
Although “The Young and the Restless” entered the night with a field-leading 18 nominations, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” emerged as the most decorated production of the evening, Billboard reported. The syndicated program earned five Emmys, including outstanding daytime talk series, along with craft awards for studio directing, sound mixing, scenic design, and a tie for hairstyling and makeup.
Clarkson did not attend the ceremony and missed out on the individual host trophy. Sherri Shepherd won outstanding daytime talk series host for “Sherri,” Billboard and Just Jared reported. Billboard noted that academy balloting concluded in June, well before an October controversy involving Clarkson at a Brooklyn store.
Milestones and Historic Firsts
Longtime daytime icon Genie Francis was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating her approaching 50th anniversary portraying Laura Spencer on “General Hospital,” Billboard reported. Francis’ longtime on-screen partner Anthony Geary, who died in December 2025, was honored during the In Memoriam tribute alongside Sally Kirkland, June Lockhart, and critic Gene Shalit.
Several established television stars also collected milestone wins, Billboard reported. Star Jones claimed her first Daytime Emmy after 35 years in television, sharing the daily daytime personality award with Corey Jovan for “Divorce Court.” Tracee Ellis Ross won her first career Emmy for Roku’s “Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross,” and Keke Palmer earned her first Daytime Emmy as a producer on “Glam Through the Ages.”
Although “The Kelly Clarkson Show” wrapped up its broadcast run on Aug. 31, Billboard reported that the series will qualify again for consideration at the 2027 ceremony because academy eligibility follows the full calendar year.
