Which TV program has received the most Primetime Emmy nominations of all time?

Which TV program has received the most Primetime Emmy nominations of all time? The answer is Saturday Night Live.

NBC’s Saturday Night Live premiered in 1975 and has remained eligible for Emmy recognition across five decades. Its unusual format helps explain its enormous nomination total: the program competes in writing, directing, acting, music, technical, variety, and guest-performer categories rather than only one series category.

The show’s longevity is another major factor. Its rotating hosts and large cast have produced many eligible performances, while recurring sketches, political satire, original music, and live-production work have all attracted Academy voters. By 2025, the Television Academy described SNL as the most-awarded program in Emmy history, with 95 wins, and NBC called it the most Emmy-nominated show in television history.

A frequent mix-up is confusing most nominations with most wins in a particular category or season. Programs such as Game of Thrones and Cheers achieved remarkable totals, but SNL’s combination of longevity and category breadth gives it the all-time nomination record.