What was the first Critics Choice Awards category introduced for television in 2026?

Best Variety Series was the new television category introduced at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

The 31st ceremony added four new categories in total. Three were for film—Best Casting and Ensemble, Best Sound, and Best Stunt Design—while Best Variety Series was the sole new television category.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won the inaugural Best Variety Series award. The nominees also included Conan O’Brien Must Go and Saturday Night Live. The category therefore covered variety-format programming rather than conventional talk shows or comedy specials.

Best Talk Show remained a separate established category, with Jimmy Kimmel Live! winning it. Likewise, Best Comedy Special was distinct from Best Variety Series and went to SNL50: The Anniversary Special. These neighboring categories can be easy to confuse because all recognize unscripted or comedy-oriented television formats.