The Outstanding Variety Series category is set for a different kind of Emmy race in 2026 after the Television Academy brought the variety categories back together. The five nominees are The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and Saturday Night Live.

A major change this year is that Outstanding Variety Series is an “area award,” meaning more than one program can potentially receive the Emmy if enough voters select it. The rule change has opened the possibility of multiple winners rather than requiring a single program to take the category.

The Daily Show enters the race with its long Emmy history and Jon Stewart’s return to the program. The Comedy Central series remains one of the most decorated shows in the category’s history and has continued its political-news format throughout the eligibility period.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is also competing after another season of late-night interviews, comedy and political commentary. The show received support from Stephen Colbert during the Emmy campaign, with Colbert publicly encouraging voters to consider Kimmel for the award.

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver arrives with an established Emmy record of its own. The HBO program has previously collected multiple awards in the variety categories, including wins under the former category structure.

For The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the nomination comes as the program’s final Emmy campaign following CBS’ cancellation of the show. The series also had a strong showing during the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies, winning five awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

Saturday Night Live rounds out the five nominees with one of the longest-running and most frequently recognized programs in Emmy history. The NBC sketch-comedy series earned 11 nominations across the 2026 Emmys and remains a regular presence in the variety categories.

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Mariska Hargitay serving as host. The ceremony will air on NBC and stream on Peacock, with the Outstanding Variety Series winner or winners to be announced during the broadcast.