The 78th Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, recognized artistic and technical achievements across television genres. Mariska Hargitay won two awards the weekend before hosting the live show on September 14, while Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada’s work on SHOGUN continues to open doors for Japanese actors in global television. International winners at the International Emmy Awards also highlighted strong non-U.S. productions.

Domestic Emmy Winners and Highlights

On night one of the Emmys, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won in multiple categories, including writing, short form comedy, and technical direction, while Mariska Hargitay’s back-to-back wins were a highlight, with Vulture noting it was a “nice practice run” before her hosting duties. Other winners included The Muppet Show, which claimed awards for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), writing, and production design.

International Recognition at the Emmy Awards

Outside the U.S., the International Emmy Awards also celebrated global excellence — the Reino Unido led with 12 nominations, followed by Brasil with eight and Sudáfrica with four. Winners included HELL JUMPER for Best Documentary and Shaolin Heroes: Denmark for Best Non-Fiction Entertainment, as Dana Walden, copresident of Disney Entertainment, received the 2025 Founders Emmy for her impact on the media industry. In Asia, KBS’s The Families Next Door won a Golden Nymph at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival, highlighting diverse family narratives and digital innovation.

Legacy and New Leadership Honored

The Television Academy awarded the inaugural Legacy Award to I Love Lucy for its lasting impact on television. João Roberto Marinho, president of Grupo Globo, received the International Emmy Leadership Award for his role during the centenary of the company and the 60th anniversary of TV Globo. Meanwhile, Sanada’s SHOGUN continues to gain global attention, with Season 2 set to begin filming in January 2025; the show has already become a major conversation topic and is drawing attention for its international cast and production scale.

As the 78th Emmy Awards continue, the mix of domestic and international winners highlights the growing global influence of television, as With SHOGUN expanding opportunities for Japanese actors and international entries gaining more recognition, the Emmy Awards remain a key barometer of television excellence across borders.