# The 78th Emmys land on NBC tonight

> Mariska Hargitay hosts, "The Pitt" leads with 25 nods, and Jean Smart could tie a record that has stood for decades.
- Title: The 78th Emmys land on NBC tonight · Valleynewslive | Shortify
- Summary: Mariska Hargitay hosts, "The Pitt" leads with 25 nods, and Jean Smart could tie a record that has stood for decades. "The Pitt" is the night's frontrunner…
- Keywords: emmys, television, awards, nbc, streaming, news, local, 78th, land, tonight, Valleynewslive
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/14/emmy-awards-2026-how-watch-tonight-nbc-top-nominees-history-making
- Published: 2026-09-14T13:48:13.469+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: emmys, television, awards, nbc, streaming, news, local
## Television's biggest night
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards air live coast to coast on NBC and stream on Peacock, starting 7 p.m. CDT from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
## Mariska Hargitay takes the stage
The "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star hosts this year's ceremony, fronting a show built around her own network's biggest night.
## The Pitt leads the pack
HBO's medical drama enters with 25 nominations, the most of any contender. The final season of "Hacks" is right behind at 24.
## Streaming newcomers crash in
Apple TV+ debuts made the loudest first impression: "Widow's Bay" pulled 19 nominations and "Pluribus" landed 18 in their first year out.
## Jean Smart chases history
A fifth straight lead actress in a comedy win would tie her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting Emmys by one performer.
## Seehorn and Colbert in play
Rhea Seehorn of "Pluribus" is the favorite for her first career Emmy in drama, while "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" carries nine nods after ending in May.
## Key takeaway

"The Pitt" is the night's frontrunner with 25 nominations, but the real story is Jean Smart chasing a fifth straight win that would tie the all-time acting Emmy record.