The Hollywood Reporter hosted a live Instagram broadcast on Monday, as final voting opened for the 78th Emmy Awards, with awards editor Beatrice Verhoeven and deputy awards editor Brande Victorian analysing the likely winners across major categories. The discussion matters because it offers an early read on a highly competitive awards season, with several closely watched races still considered too close to call, including drama series and acting categories where long-overlooked performers could finally be recognised.

The Pitt led all nominees with 25 nominations, narrowly ahead of Hacks on 24, a record for a comedy series in a single year, while newcomer Widow's Bay topped new shows with 19 nods. The pair debated whether The Pitt or challengers such as Pluribus, Widow's Bay, Hacks or Shrinking would take the top drama and comedy prizes, and weighed acting contests including Noah Wyle versus Mark Ruffalo, and whether Rhea Seehorn might finally win after years of Emmy snubs. They also flagged a rule change that could allow up to five winners in the variety talk series category, and noted the ceremony airs live on NBC and Peacock on Monday, 14 September.