As the entertainment world geared up for the 2025 Emmy Awards, new data from JustWatch, the worldโs largest streaming guide, offers a fascinating glimpse into which nominated shows have captured viewersโ attentionโand which ones have gained the most momentum since the nominations were announced.
Using real-time engagement signals from over 20 million monthly U.S. users, JustWatch tracked the popularity of Emmy-nominated scripted series across top categoriesโincluding Outstanding Drama, Comedy, and Limited or Anthology Seriesโfrom July 15 (nomination day) through September 8. The results reveal not only which shows are leading the pack but also how award recognition can reignite interest in titles long after their initial release.
One of the most striking trends is the significant boost in viewership for streaming exclusives following their Emmy nods. Series like The Diplomat, Slow Horses, and the dark comedy Nobody Wants This saw some of the largest uplifts in popularity, proving that nomination buzz can translate directly into streaming success.
In the comedy category, FX/Huluโs The Bear continues to dominate, though its lead is narrowing as Apple TV+โs The Studio and HBO Maxโs Hacks maintain strong audience engagement. Meanwhile, Netflixโs Nobody Wants This saw an astounding 84% increase in popularity after being nominatedโa remarkable feat for a show that debuted nearly a year ago.
The drama race remains fiercely competitive. HBO Maxโs The Pitt currently leads, slightly ahead of Disney+โs Andor and HBO Maxโs The White Lotus. But it was The Diplomat (Netflix) and Slow Horses (Apple TV+) that gained the most traction post-nomination, with popularity surges of 40% and 18%, respectively.
In the Limited Series category, Netflixโs Adolescence has overtaken the platformโs own sci-fi anthology Black Mirror to become the most-watched nominee. Other notable climbers include HBO Maxโs The Penguin (+25%) and FX/Huluโs Dying for Sex (+16%).
The โEmmy bumpโ is more than just industry talkโitโs a measurable phenomenon. For smaller or less-hyped series, a nomination can mean a second life. Nobody Wants This, for example, leveraged its Emmy recognition to re-enter the cultural conversation despite having premiered its first season almost a year ago.
Similarly, The Diplomat and Slow Horsesโboth critically acclaimed but not always in the mainstream spotlightโused the nominations to attract new viewers who may have missed them the first time around.
Thatโs not to say the frontrunners arenโt holding their own. The Bear remains the most popular comedy nominee, while The Pitt is narrowly leading a stacked drama field that includes heavy hitters like The Last of Us and The White Lotus. Whatโs interesting, however, is how fluid these rankings are. Audience interest is shifting week to week, suggesting that final voting could still be swayed by last-minute viewer enthusiasm.
The data also underscores the growing influence of streaming platforms during awards season. With exclusive originals from Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Hulu dominating the nominations, itโs clear that streaming is no longer the alternativeโitโs the mainstream.
Platforms like Netflix and Apple TV+ are not only producing Emmy-worthy content but are also benefiting from the sustained audience engagement that follows nominations. For viewers, awards season has become a curated guide to whatโs worth watchingโor rewatching.
Methodology Behind the Data
JustWatchโs analysis is based on aggregated user behaviorsโincluding clicks to streaming services, trailer views, likes, dislikes, and additions to watchlistsโall of which serve as indicators of genuine interest and intent. By comparing user activity from before and after the nomination announcements, JustWatch can identify which titles gained the most momentum heading into awards night.
As we approach Emmy Sunday, these rankings offer more than just predictionsโthey provide a snapshot of what real people are actually watching. Whether a show is a perennial favorite or a surprise nominee, the data proves that Emmy recognition still has the power to shape viewing habits and amplify great storytelling.
For ongoing updates and streaming recommendations, follow JustWatch on social media or visit their platform to find where you can watch all the Emmy-nominated shows.
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