The 2025 Primetime Emmy nominations were announced, and while the Television Academy has made its choices, the audience data tells a different story.
JustWatch, the world’s largest streaming guide, analyzed engagement data from over 20 million monthly U.S. users to reveal which shows truly captivated audiences—regardless of whether they earned a nomination. The results highlight glaring discrepancies between viewer preferences and Emmy voters’ selections, with several fan favorites shockingly left out of contention.
The Drama Category: A Tale of Snubbed Blockbusters
In the Outstanding Drama Series category, three shows dominated JustWatch’s rankings but were completely overlooked by the Emmys: Squid Game (Netflix), MobLand (Paramount+), and Dept. Q (Netflix). These series not only led in streaming intent but also boasted impressive audience scores 83.55, 76.59, and 74.05, respectively.
Squid Game, despite its global phenomenon status and top-tier audience metrics, failed to secure a nomination. Meanwhile, Andor (Disney+) and The Last of Us (HBO Max), both nominated, ranked #4 and #5 in JustWatch’s rankings, indicating strong but not overwhelming audience support. Other nominated dramas like Slow Horses (Apple TV+) and The White Lotus (HBO Max) lagged further behind in popularity, raising questions about the criteria used by Emmy voters.
Why the Disconnect?
The data suggests that Emmy voters may prioritize critical acclaim or industry buzz over raw audience engagement. Squid Game and Dept. Q, for instance, are high-octane, visually striking series with massive fanbases, but they may not align with the Academy’s traditional preferences for narrative depth or prestige television aesthetics.
Audience-Backed Rankings vs. Emmy Nominations
Outstanding Drama Series
| JustWatch Rank | Show | Network | Outstanding Drama Series | Audience Score (Weighted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Squid Game | Netflix | – | 83.55 |
| #2 | MobLand | Paramount+ | – | 76.59 |
| #3 | Dept. Q | Netflix | – | 74.05 |
| #4 | Andor | Disney+ | Nominated | 70.50 |
| #5 | The Last of Us | HBO Max | Nominated | 66.75 |
| #6 | Reacher | Amazon Prime Video | – | 56.49 |
| #7 | Your Friends & Neighbors | Apple TV+ | – | 50.43 |
| #8 | Slow Horses | Apple TV+ | Nominated | 45.80 |
| #9 | Landman | Paramount+ | – | 45.73 |
| #10 | The Pitt | Max | Nominated | 44.9 |
| #11 | The White Lotus | HBO Max | Nominated | 44.52 |
| #12 | The Diplomat | Netflix | Nominated | 41.72 |
| #13 | Severance | Apple TV+ | Nominated | 39.99 |
| #14 | Paradise | Hulu | Nominated | 38.25 |
| #15 | The Better Sister | Amazon Prime Video | – | 37.66 |
| #16 | Yellowstone | Paramount+ | – | 27.61 |
| #17 | The Chi | Showtime | – | 23.83 |
Comedy: Murderbot’s Unjust Exclusion
The comedy category delivered its own surprises, with The Bear (FX/Hulu) rightfully leading the pack as both an audience and critical darling. However, Murderbot (Apple TV+), which ranked #2 in JustWatch’s comedy rankings with an audience score of 66.94, was inexplicably snubbed. The show, recently renewed for a second season, outperformed nominated series like Hacks (HBO Max) and Abbott Elementary (ABC) in streaming intent and viewer ratings.
Other overlooked comedies include Poker Face (Peacock) and The Four Seasons (Netflix), which ranked #9 and #10, respectively. These shows enjoyed strong audience engagement but were overshadowed by less popular nominees like The Studio (Apple TV+), which ranked last in JustWatch’s analysis.
Outstanding Comedy Series
| JustWatch Rank | Show | Network | Outstanding Comedy Series | Audience Score (Weighted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Bear | FX / Hulu | Nominated | 83.15 |
| #2 | Murderbot | Apple TV+ | – | 66.94 |
| #3 | Hacks | HBO Max | Nominated | 50.91 |
| #4 | Abbott Elementary | ABC | Nominated | 49.40 |
| #5 | What We Do in the Shadows | FX | Nominated | 48.35 |
| #6 | Only Murders in the Building | Hulu | Nominated | 47.36 |
| #7 | Shrinking | Apple TV+ | Nominated | 45.67 |
| #8 | Nobody Wants This | Netflix | Nominated | 41.01 |
| #9 | Poker Face | Peacock | – | 40.03 |
| #10 | The Four Seasons | Netflix | – | 34.67 |
| #11 | A Man on the Inside | Netflix | – | 33.73 |
| #12 | The Studio | Apple TV+ | Nominated | 17.03 |
The Comedy Conundrum
The exclusion of Murderbot is particularly puzzling given its high viewer ratings (92.51% approval) and streaming score (79.83). It’s possible that its sci-fi leanings placed it in an awkward genre gray area for voters, despite its comedic core. Meanwhile, more traditional sitcoms like Abbott Elementary continue to secure nominations, hinting at a possible bias toward conventional formats.
Limited Series: Say Nothing’s Silent Snub
In the Limited or Anthology Series category, Netflix dominated with Adolescence, Black Mirror, and The Penguin securing nominations. However, Say Nothing (FX/Hulu), which ranked #4 in audience scores (48.57), was left out despite outperforming nominated entries like Dying for Sex (FX) and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix).
Say Nothing’s snub is especially notable because it combined strong viewer sentiment (89.45% approval) with a compelling true-crime narrative—a genre that typically resonates with both audiences and awards voters. Its absence suggests that either competition was unusually fierce or that voters favored Netflix’s marketing muscle over smaller, FX-produced contenders.
What the Data Reveals About the Emmy Voting Process
JustWatch’s methodology, which weighs audience ratings (45%), streaming intent (45%), and broader popularity (10%), provides a clear-eyed view of what viewers actually care about. The stark differences between their rankings and the official nominations highlight several key trends:
- Streaming Giants vs. Traditional Networks: Netflix and HBO Max dominate nominations, but audience favorites like Squid Game and Murderbot prove that even within these platforms, voter and viewer priorities don’t always align.
- Genre Bias: Sci-fi and action-driven shows (Squid Game, Murderbot) often struggle for recognition despite their popularity, while conventional dramas and comedies (The Diplomat, The Studio) secure spots with lower audience engagement.
- The “Prestige TV” Effect: Voters may favor slower, critically acclaimed series (Slow Horses, The White Lotus) over high-energy crowd-pleasers (Squid Game, Reacher).
Final Thoughts
The Emmys have long been criticized for overlooking audience favorites in favor of industry darlings, and 2025 is no exception. While nominated shows like The Bear and Andor undoubtedly deserve their spots, the snubs of Squid Game, Murderbot, and Say Nothing feel like missed opportunities to celebrate truly populist television.
As streaming continues to fragment viewership, the gap between what audiences love and what awards voters reward may only widen. For now, the data doesn’t lie—even if the Emmy nominations sometimes do.
Data Source: JustWatch Audience Analysis, July 2025.
