HBO and Max just delivered a masterclass in television excellence, shattering their own Emmy nominations record with an unprecedented 142 nods for the 2025 awards season. This historic achievement represents the most Emmy nominations HBO has ever received in a single year, decisively outpacing Netflix's 121 nominations and leaving Disney trailing in the dust.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The streaming giant's dominance spans 20 original programs, with three powerhouse series leading the charge. The White Lotus and The Penguin each earned 24 nominations, while The Last of Us secured 17 nods. This represents a massive leap from HBO's previous record of 137 nominations set in 2019.

"What the heck?!! We never thought this would happen," exclaimed Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg after their Apple TV+ series The Studio earned 23 nominations. Their surprise mirrors the industry's reaction to this year's nomination landscape, where traditional broadcast networks are increasingly overshadowed by streaming platforms.

Photograph by Fabio Lovino/HBO

Strategic Wins Across Categories

HBO's success stems from a diverse content portfolio that resonates with Emmy voters. The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, proved that superhero content can transcend genre boundaries when crafted with prestige television quality. Meanwhile, The White Lotus continued its anthology success, with Jason Isaacs describing his nomination as "a bunch of cherries on the icing on the cake".

The medical drama The Pitt earned 13 nominations, giving Noah Wyle his first Emmy recognition since ER. "I'm humbled and grateful," Wyle stated, highlighting how HBO's commitment to quality storytelling creates opportunities for both established and emerging talent.

Photograph by Warrick Page/Max

Market Implications

This Emmy surge represents more than award recognition—it's a strategic business victory in the streaming wars. HBO's 142 nominations significantly outperformed Netflix's 121, despite Netflix's larger content volume. This efficiency suggests HBO's focused approach to prestige content is paying dividends with both critics and audiences.

Apple TV+ also emerged as a formidable contender with 81 nominations, led by Severance's impressive 27 nods. The psychological thriller's success demonstrates how streaming platforms are pushing creative boundaries to capture Emmy attention.

Adam Scott and Britt Lower in "Severance," now streaming on Apple TV+

Looking Forward

As the ceremony approaches on September 14, HBO's record-breaking nominations position the network for potential dominance. With comedian Nate Bargatze hosting and CBS broadcasting, the awards will showcase how streaming platforms have fundamentally reshaped television's landscape.

HBO's achievement reflects a broader industry truth: in today's competitive streaming environment, quality trumps quantity. While competitors flood the market with content, HBO's strategic focus on prestige programming continues to deliver both critical acclaim and business success, proving that the formula for Emmy gold remains unchanged—exceptional storytelling, stellar performances, and production excellence.