Many Americans watch TV to keep up with the news, while others root for their favorite sports teams. For as long as there’s been broadcast television, however, there have been scripted dramas, comedies, and documentary series to entertain and inform viewers. These programs are recognized chiefly by the Emmy Awards, which have been given out every year since 1949. Though Regional and Daytime Emmys are given out to shows that meet those respective requirements, the most cultural discussion takes place around the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmys, which highlight outstanding achievements in the most-watched television programs.
The Primetime Emmys award achievement in overall series quality, lead and supporting acting, directing, and writing. The Creative Arts Emmys recognize achievement in more technical fields, such as costumes, makeup, and special effects, as well as alternative programming such as documentaries and variety shows. Despite the many categories, an Emmy win is a lifelong goal for many Hollywood stars, forming the “E” in “EGOT,” or the lifetime achievement of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
Looking at the following list, it’s clear to see several distinct eras emerging, from the long-running sitcoms of the ‘80s and ‘90s to the new golden age of television ushered in by the “Sopranos” and other premium programming. As streaming services like Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video join HBO in spending exorbitant sums on new content, it remains to be seen where television will go in the coming decade.
To generate a list of the most awarded television shows of all time, according to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which administers the Emmy awards, Stacker rounded up the top 25 Emmy-winning shows using the Emmys database. All drama, comedy, competition, variety, and limited series were considered, and shows were ranked by the number of Emmy wins, with ties broken by the number of nominations.
#15. ‘NYPD Blue’ (1993–2005)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 84
The police procedural is an established TV drama, from the long-running “CSI,” “NCIS,” and “Law & Order” franchises to newer comedies like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” “NYPD Blue” ranks among the most beloved of them all, with critical acclaim spanning its 12 seasons; in 2013, Variety complained that broadcast television “lost its edge”after the show’s cancellation.
The show racked up 16 Primetime Emmy wins for acting, writing, and directing, and four Creative Arts Emmy wins for casting, editing, and art direction.
#14. ‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
- Wins: 21
- Nominations: 112
Few television shows have had as transformative an impact on the entertainment industry as “The Sopranos,” whichestablished HBO as a dominating force in cultureover its six seasons. Starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a mob boss balancing the demands of his particular line of work with his obligations to his family, the show was namedthe best-written TV show of all timeby the Writers Guild of America and the best television show of all time byTV GuideandRolling Stone. The show won Emmy awards for acting, writing, casting, editing, and makeup, winning Outstanding Drama Series in 2004 and 2007.
#13. ‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 55
Produced by nonagenarian legend Norman Lear, “All in the Family” was a sitcom that followed a working-class American family as they dealt with controversial issues such as racism, abortion, hom*osexuality, and the Vietnam War, which were considered taboo for a TV comedy. The series, which starred Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner, aired for nine seasons and earned 22 Emmys, including in categories such as acting, writing, directing, and sound mixing.
#12. ‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 85
Throughout the ‘70s,“All in the Family” presented Americans with an authentic depiction of a working-class family, and “Modern Family” took up that mantle by presenting three different types offamilies: one nuclear, one stepfamily, and one with same-sex parents.
The sitcom was met with critical acclaim for its witty writing and charming performances and has won 22 Emmys for acting, directing, writing, sound mixing, and casting, receiving the Outstanding Comedy Series award five times.
#11. ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’ (1999–2015)
- Wins: 23
- Nominations: 60
Though “The Daily Show” has had three hosts over its tenure as the longest-running show on Comedy Central, all but one of its Emmys were won during Jon Stewart’s tenure as the sardonic, wise-cracking host of the political satire show. The show helped launch the careers of correspondents such as Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Samantha Bee, and won 23 Emmys in categories such as Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
#10. ‘ER’ (1994–2009)
- Wins: 23
- Nominations: 124
TV’s counterpart to the police procedural is the medical drama, of which there have been countless iterations and new spins. “ER” is the second-longest-running medical drama—surpassed only by “Grey’s Anatomy”—in the history of television, and helped to launch the career of George Clooney, who received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work on the show. “ER” won 23 Emmys, seven being Primetime Awards.
#9. ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ (1967–1978, 1991)
- Wins: 25
- Nominations: 70
One of two sketch comedy programs on this list, “The Carol Burnett Show,” helmed by Carol Burnett, ran for 288 episodes (nine from its 1991 return), making Burnett a household name and establishing her as a comedy legend. With 25 Emmy wins, “The Carol Burnett Show” is an important staple of the sketch comedy genre andan honorary lifetime achievement Golden Globe awardnow bears Burnett’s name.
#8. ‘The West Wing’ (1999–2006)
- Wins: 26
- Nominations: 95
While some shows launch their stars further into stardom, “The West Wing” is perhaps most responsible for the ascendance of Aaron Sorkin—the creator of the show and the lead writer for nearly all of its first four seasons—who’s known for his clever and quick dialogue and has since written for several television shows, movies, and plays. The show followed the cabinet of fictional President Josiah Bartlet and has been influential not just in entertainment, but in the political world too, winning 26 Emmys over its seven-season run.
#7. ‘Hill Street Blues’ (1981–1987)
- Wins: 26
- Nominations: 98
With over 146 episodes, “Hill Street Blues” followed the lives of workers at a police station on the eponymous road in an unnamed city. Its record of eight Emmy wins for a single season was only beaten by “The West Wing,” with which it tied for Emmy wins overall. Influential for its gritty and realistic portrayal of city life, the series holds several Emmy records; at the 34th Emmy Awards, all five nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor hailed from “Hill Street.”
#6. Cheers (1982–1993)
- Wins: 28
- Nominations: 117
The bar “where everybody knows your name” became a household staple throughout the ‘80s as “Cheers” dominated the airwaves. Led by performances from Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, and Kirstie Alley, among others, the sitcom was nearly canceled during its first season, eventually soldiering on to 28 Emmy wins.
#5. ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ (1970–1977)
- Wins: 29
- Nominations: 67
Candice Bergen has been quoted as saying thatthere would be no “Murphy Brown”without “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which starred Moore as Mary Richards, a similarly career-focused, unmarried woman. With support from Edward Asner, Valerie Harper, and Betty White, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” broke barriers over its seven-season run, and won 29 Primetime Emmys, along with launching three spinoffs.
#4. ‘The Simpsons’ (1989–present)
- Wins: 35
- Nominations: 97
The only animated series on this list, “The Simpsons” has an undeniable place in the pantheon of American television, being the longest-running sitcom of all time. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have graced American screens for over 30 years with their satirical depiction of middle-class, middle-American life. “The Simpsons,” helmed by creator Matt Groening, has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program 10 times and the award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance 16 times.
#3. ‘Frasier’ (1993–2004)
- Wins: 37
- Nominations: 107
It’s not often that a spinoff or sequel becomes even more beloved and successful than the original show, such is the case with “Frasier,” which follows the life of “Cheers” character Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist returning to his native Seattle. Starring Kelsey Grammer in the title role, the show was praised for its wit and comedic timing. “Frasier” held the record for most Primetime Emmy wins until 2016 when it was overtaken by the next show on this list.
#2. ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
- Wins: 59
- Nominations: 160
An adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s sprawling, unfinished series, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones” places among the most beloved fantasy series in television history. Over eight seasons, viewers were introduced to an expansive roster of characters and quickly learned not to get too attached, as even fan favorites weren’t spared from the possibility of sudden death and destruction. The series has won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series three times out of eight consecutive nominations and has also been recognized for its acting performances, directing, writing, costumes, makeup, and many more Creative Arts fields.
#1. ‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975–present)
- Wins: 73
- Nominations: 296
Thousands of sketches. Hundreds of unique celebrity guests. Countless laughs. This is the legacy of “Saturday Night Live,” NBC’s decades-long sketch show that has launched superstars in acting, writing, and music. From controversial events broadcast live to millions of viewers to presidential elections being satirized by the show’s ever-changing cast, Lorne Michaels’ “SNL” has established its place as a top influence on American culture for more than 45 years and across 900-plus episodes, winning more Emmy awards than any other television show in history.
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