Streaming platforms dominate Emmys as Netflix takes best drama

Streaming platforms dominate Emmys as Netflix takes best drama

Streaming platforms dominated the 2021 Emmys Sunday night, with Netflix, HBO/HBO Max, Disney+ and Apple TV+ topping the list of winners — highlighting the shift away from traditional broadcast in the TV business.

Netflix, buoyed by hit series “The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” took home a whopping 44 trophies, tying the 47-year record for most Emmys won in a single year set by CBS in 1974.

Meanwhile, across its cable channel and its matching streaming service, HBO and HBO Max landed scored 19 Emmys, helped by “Mare of Easttown” and “Hacks.”

Disney+, driven by “The Mandalorian,” finished third overall with 14 awards, followed by Apple TV+ with 10, thanks to breakout hit “Ted Lasso.”

Notably, the streaming platforms swept the three most prestigious awards of outstanding comedy series, drama series and limited or anthology series.

Josh O'Connor won Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for ‘The Crown.'Josh O’Connor won Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for ‘The Crown.’ Rich Fury/Getty ImagesAnya Taylor-Joy (center) and the cast and crew of Queens Gambit pose after winning 44 Emmy Awards.Anya Taylor-Joy (center) and the cast and crew of Queens Gambit pose after winning 44 Emmy Awards.Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesJen Statsky (Left) and Paul W. Downs (Right) won for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series, and Lucia Aniello (Center), winner of Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series.Jen Statsky (Left) and Paul W. Downs (Right) won for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series, and Lucia Aniello (Center), winner of Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series.Rich Fury/Getty ImagesJean Smart won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series. Jean Smart won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images

Apple’s “Ted Lasso” won best comedy while Netflix’s “The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” won best drama and best limited/anthology series, respectively, topping off Big Tech’s domination of the evening.

It marks a major change from not long ago, when streaming platforms weren’t considered serious contenders for academy awards.

Hulu became the first streaming service to stake a claim to one of the three major Emmy awards in 2017 when “The Handmaid’s Tale” was named best drama.

Ted Lasso won Outstanding Comedy Series.Ted Lasso won Outstanding Comedy Series.Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesKate Winslet, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for Mare Of Easttown.Kate Winslet, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for Mare Of Easttown.Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesCale Thomas (left), Pepa Mora, Samantha Ward, Alexei Dmitriew and Carlton Coleman (right) pose with the award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for Cale Thomas (left), Pepa Mora, Samantha Ward, Alexei Dmitriew and Carlton Coleman (right) pose with the award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for “The Mandalorian.”Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Amazon followed that up with “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Fleabag” winning best comedy in 2018 and 2019, respectively.