General Hospital and The Kelly Clarkson Show emerged among the biggest winners at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards, taking home major honors during a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday night.
The 53rd annual awards ceremony took place on October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium, bringing together performers, hosts and production teams from across daytime television. General Hospital won Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, while The Kelly Clarkson Show received the award for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
The ceremony also celebrated individual achievements. Tamara Tunie won the lead actress award for her performance in Beyond the Gates, while Scott Clifton earned the lead actor honor for The Bold and the Beautiful. Meanwhile, The Young and the Restless stars Beth Maitland and Roger Howarth received the supporting performer awards.
One of the evening’s special moments came when General Hospital star Genie Francis received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her long-standing contribution to daytime television.
General Hospital Takes Home Outstanding Daytime Drama
ABC’s General Hospital claimed the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series award, adding another major achievement to the long-running soap opera’s history.
The show’s win recognized the work of its cast, writers, directors and production crew. Daytime dramas depend on strong storytelling and familiar characters to keep audiences invested over long periods. General Hospital has maintained that connection with viewers through relationship storylines, family conflicts, emotional twists and dramatic cliffhangers.
The series faced competition from Beyond the Gates, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless in the category.
Its success was not limited to the main drama award. General Hospital also won Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series and Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program. Actor Jeff Kober received recognition for his guest performance as Cyrus Renault.
The multiple honors highlighted the contributions of the people working both in front of and behind the camera.
The Kelly Clarkson Show Wins Best Daytime Talk Series
The Kelly Clarkson Show also had a successful night, winning Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
The award was a notable achievement for the program, which built a strong following through celebrity interviews, musical performances, personal conversations and uplifting stories. Clarkson’s approachable hosting style helped the show develop an identity that extended beyond traditional celebrity talk-show formats.
The program’s win came after it concluded its seven-season run in August 2026. Its Daytime Emmy recognition therefore offered another milestone for the series and its production team.
The show competed against programs including The Drew Barrymore Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, The View, 3rd Hour of TODAY and TODAY with Jenna & Friends.
The award recognized the combined work of the host, producers, writers, crew members and guests who helped shape the show’s daily format.
A memorable achievement after seven seasons
The show’s success at the ceremony demonstrated the lasting impact of its run. Although the program has ended, its recognition at the 2026 Daytime Emmys gave its team another opportunity to celebrate the work behind the series.
The awards also recognized achievements in directing, set design, sound and other production areas, reflecting the many creative departments involved in daytime television.
Tamara Tunie Wins Best Actress for Beyond the Gates
Tamara Tunie earned the Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress award for her role as Anita Williams Dupree in CBS’s Beyond the Gates.
The win marked an important achievement for Tunie and the series. Beyond the Gates entered the competition as a newer daytime drama, having debuted on CBS in February 2025. Its presence among the major winners demonstrated the show’s growing recognition within the daytime television industry.
Tunie’s performance helped her stand out in a competitive category featuring established daytime performers, including Stacy Haiduk, Karla Mosley, Michelle Stafford and Heather Tom.
The award also brought attention to the cast and creative team behind the series, which has quickly become part of the daytime drama conversation.
Scott Clifton Wins Best Actor for The Bold and the Beautiful
Scott Clifton took home the Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor award for playing Liam Spencer in The Bold and the Beautiful.
Clifton’s win added another major honor to his career in daytime television. His character has been part of the CBS soap opera’s ongoing stories, which frequently explore complicated relationships, family rivalries and personal decisions.
He competed against several well-known daytime actors, including Eric Braeden, Steve Burton, Thorsten Kaye and Christian Jules LeBlanc.
The award recognized Clifton’s performance and the work involved in bringing a long-running soap opera character to life.
The Young and the Restless Stars Earn Supporting Actor Awards
The Young and the Restless also celebrated two important acting victories.
Beth Maitland won Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress for her portrayal of Traci Abbott. Roger Howarth received the corresponding supporting performer award for his role as Matt Clark.
Both wins added to the recognition received by the CBS daytime drama during the ceremony.
The supporting performer categories highlight actors whose characters help shape the wider storylines of a series. Their performances can influence major plot developments, deepen relationships and create emotional moments that keep viewers connected to a show.
The awards for Maitland and Howarth recognized their contributions to the long-running soap opera.
Genie Francis Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
A major highlight of the 2026 ceremony was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Genie Francis.
Francis is closely associated with General Hospital, where she has been a familiar presence since 1977. Her decades-long connection with the series has made her one of the recognizable figures in daytime drama.
The honor celebrated her contribution to the television industry and the lasting relationship she has built with audiences.
For longtime General Hospital viewers, the recognition carried particular meaning. Francis has been part of the show’s history across generations of viewers, storylines and cast changes.
The Lifetime Achievement Award also served as a reminder that daytime television is built on long-term relationships between performers and audiences.
Sherri Shepherd Wins Best Talk Show Host
Sherri Shepherd received the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host award for Sherri.
Her win recognized her work as the host of the daytime program, which features celebrity conversations, entertainment, lifestyle topics and audience-focused segments.
The award was especially meaningful as the program was in its farewell season. Shepherd’s recognition gave the show’s team another major moment to celebrate during its final chapter.
Although The Kelly Clarkson Show won the series category, Shepherd took home the individual hosting honor.
Other Major Winners at the 2026 Daytime Emmys
The ceremony also recognized programs across several non-fiction and lifestyle categories.
Major winners included:
- Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program: Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross
- Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Series: Justice for the People with Judge Milian
- Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series: Be My Guest with Ina Garten
- Outstanding Culinary Host: Ina Garten
- Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series: General Hospital
- Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series: Days of Our Lives
- Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Jeff Kober for General Hospital
- Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series: Ambyr Michelle for Beyond the Gates
These results showed the range of programming represented at the Daytime Emmys, from scripted soap operas and talk shows to travel, food and courtroom series.
What the 2026 Daytime Emmy Results Mean for Television
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards celebrated both established television favorites and newer programs making their mark.
General Hospital strengthened its position as a major force in daytime drama, while The Kelly Clarkson Show received a significant honor following the end of its seven-season run. The individual acting awards also recognized performers from several competing soap operas, reflecting the depth of talent across the genre.
The wins for Beyond the Gates were another important development. Its success showed that newer daytime dramas can compete for major recognition alongside programs with much longer histories.
Meanwhile, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Genie Francis honored the lasting influence of performers who have helped shape daytime television over decades.
A night celebrating daytime television’s biggest names
From soap opera performances to talk-show hosting and lifestyle programming, the ceremony recognized the people and teams responsible for entertaining daytime audiences.
For fans, the awards offered a chance to celebrate favorite performers and shows. For the winners, the honors marked recognition of the creativity and hard work that go into producing television year after year.
With General Hospital, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless among the evening’s notable names, the 2026 Daytime Emmys delivered a wide-ranging celebration of the genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which show won Outstanding Daytime Drama at the 2026 Daytime Emmys?
General Hospital won Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30, 2026.
Did The Kelly Clarkson Show win a Daytime Emmy in 2026?
Yes. The Kelly Clarkson Show won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series. The award came after the program concluded its seven-season run in August 2026.
Who won Best Actress at the 2026 Daytime Emmys?
Tamara Tunie won Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress for her role as Anita Williams Dupree in Beyond the Gates.
Who won Best Actor in a Daytime Drama?
Scott Clifton won Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor for playing Liam Spencer in The Bold and the Beautiful.
Who received the Lifetime Achievement Award?
Genie Francis of General Hospital received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contribution to daytime television.
Who won the Daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show Host?
Sherri Shepherd won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for Sherri.
Conclusion: The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards delivered major victories for General Hospital and The Kelly Clarkson Show, while honoring performers including Tamara Tunie, Scott Clifton, Beth Maitland and Roger Howarth. Genie Francis’s Lifetime Achievement Award added a special moment to a ceremony celebrating the enduring appeal of daytime television.
