Daytime Emmy News Update: How Did the Show Do in the Ratings?

The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards made a triumphant return to broadcast television on Friday night as the show was aired on CBS. The last time the Daytime Emmys was broadcast on one of the major broadcast networks was in 2011 when CBS sent the program out over the airwaves.

Daytime Emmy Awards On TV

According to TV Insider, the first hour of the program, which aired from 8 to 9 p.m. ET, pulled in 3.3 million viewers outranking a repeat of Shark Tank on ABC. The second hour of the Daytime Emmys brought in 2.8 million viewers, which came in behind ABC’s first hour of 20/20.

In the coveted Women 18-49 viewers demographic, the Daytime Emmys came in third place. However, the numbers are respectable and could lead to the Daytime Emmys returning to broadcast TV in future years.

Accomplishments in Daytime TV were first honored on this scale at the Prime Time Emmys in 1972. That year, The Doctors beat out General Hospital for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Drama – Programs. The following year, late All My Children star Mary Fickett was awarded a Prime Time Emmy in the category of Outstanding Achievement by Individuals in Daytime Drama. Fickett’s character on AMC, Ruth Martin, gave an impassioned speech on the Vietnam War, which earned her the gold.

Late General Hospital star John Beradino (ex-Steve) championed Daytime programming getting its own awards show. In 1974, the 1st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were broadcast from the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center in New York City. For many years, the Daytime Emmys were broadcast from various locales in New York City including at the Waldorf Astoria, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden.

In 2006, the Daytime Emmys moved to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. In 2009, the ceremony moved to the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. In 2010 and 2011, the show was broadcast from Las Vegas. Next, the show switch to the Beverly Hilton hotel (in Beverly Hills), the same venue from where the Golden Globes are presented.

In 2015, the Daytime Emmys were broadcast from the famous Warner Bros. lot. Next, the show moved to the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif. No one can say if by next year what social-distancing measures (if any) will be in place. That will, understandably, play a huge role in whether next year’s awards are virtual or if the daytime community will gather as a group at a venue. Stay tuned.