TL;DR: The 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards are bringing major changes as Mario Lopez takes over hosting duties while soap opera legends Jane Elliott, Kate Linder, and James Reynolds receive prestigious Gold and Silver Circle honors for their decades of dedication to daytime television. Plus, Beyond the Gates faces Emmy eligibility drama and CBS drops broadcasting duties in a shocking twist.
Mario Lopez Takes Center Stage at Daytime Television’s Biggest Night
The daytime television world is buzzing with excitement as Mario Lopez prepares to host the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards solo for the first time. The beloved television personality, who previously co-hosted alongside Sheryl Underwood from The Talk in 2018 and 2019, brings his signature energy and star power to celebrate the best of daytime programming.
Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about the hosting choice, stating that Lopez brings “the perfect blend of energy, familiarity, and star power to the stage.” This marks a significant milestone for an awards show that’s opening its doors to live audiences after years of fan requests for in-person attendance.
Soap Opera Legends Receive Ultimate Recognition
The 2025 ceremony will honor some of daytime television’s most enduring talents with Gold and Silver Circle inductions. Leading the pack is Jane Elliott, who portrays Tracy Quartermaine on General Hospital, receiving the prestigious Gold Circle honor for her incredible 50-year career that has defined soap opera excellence.
Joining Elliott in the Silver Circle for their 25 years of distinguished service are Kate Linder, beloved for her role as Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless, and James Reynolds, who brings Abe Carver to life on Days of Our Lives. These performers have become fixtures in American homes, creating characters that fans have loved for decades.
Behind-the-Scenes Heroes Get Their Due
The Silver Circle also recognizes the talented professionals working behind the cameras who make daytime television possible. Judy Blye Wilson receives recognition for her exceptional casting work on The Young and the Restless, All My Children, and One Life to Live, helping shape the faces of soap opera for generations.
Greg Barna earns his Silver Circle honor for his cinematography work across multiple programs, while Star Jones is celebrated for her contributions as host and executive producer of shows like Divorce Court and The View. These honorees represent the collaborative effort that makes daytime television the beloved medium it continues to be.
Beyond the Gates Emmy Drama Unfolds
In a surprising development, the breakthrough soap opera Beyond the Gates won’t be eligible for this year’s Emmy nominations due to timing issues. NATAS announced that since the eligibility window covers calendar year 2024, the groundbreaking series that premiered in February 2025 must wait until next year’s ceremony for consideration.
This news has disappointed fans who were eager to see the first Black-centered soap opera in decades compete for Emmy recognition. However, Beyond the Gates will be eligible for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, giving the show additional time to build momentum and showcase its compelling storytelling.
CBS Drops Emmy Daytime Emmy Award Broadcasting in Shocking Move
In perhaps the biggest surprise of the Emmy season, CBS will not broadcast the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards despite carrying the ceremony every year since 2020 and 18 times overall. The network has not signed a new broadcasting agreement with NATAS, leaving the awards show without traditional television coverage.
This dramatic shift means viewers will need to adapt to streaming-only coverage, accessing the ceremony through watch.theemmys.tv and various connected devices including Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, and mobile platforms.
Access Hollywood Brings Exclusive Coverage
Access Hollywood is stepping up with unprecedented Emmy coverage, featuring five nights of dedicated segments beginning Monday, October 13, leading up to the ceremony. The entertainment news program will provide behind-the-scenes access, red carpet moments, winner reactions, and exclusive footage from the festivities on Monday, October 20.
What You Can Expect
The 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards represent both celebration and change for the industry. While honoring legendary performers like Jane Elliott, Kate Linder, and James Reynolds for their enduring contributions, the ceremony also navigates new challenges with streaming-only distribution and eligibility questions for newer shows like Beyond the Gates.
Mario Lopez’s solo hosting debut promises to bring fresh energy to television’s most heartfelt awards show, celebrating the medium that has entertained families for generations while adapting to an evolving entertainment landscape.
