Widow’s Bay is the biggest winner at the 2026 Television Critics Association Awards, although it didn’t take home the group’s top honor. That goes to Heated Rivalry.
The hockey romance from Canada’s Crave and HBO Max won the TCA‘s program of the year award. It was the only win for Heated Rivalry among five nominations, but it’s considered the marquee award from the critics association.
Widow’s Bay took home three awards — best comedy, best new series and individual achievement in comedy for Kate O’Flynn’s breakout performance. The Apple TV series was the only show to win multiple awards in the competitive categories.
The Pitt repeated as a winner for outstanding drama, and Rhea Seehorn won her second TCA Award for individual achievement in drama for her work on Pluribus. She previously won in 2023 for Better Call Saul.
The Traitors was also a repeat winner, earning the best reality series award for the third consecutive year. The TCA also gave awards for animation and international series for the first time, with Netflix’s Long Story Short and Squid Game as the first winners.
Stephen Colbert received the group’s career achievement award after ending his tenure as host of CBS’ Late Show (which also won the variety, talk and sketch award). The Heritage Award, given to a program that has had a lasting cultural impact, went to Fox’s groundbreaking sketch show In Living Color.
The full list of winners, as voted by TCA members, is below.
Program of the Year: Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO Max)
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)
Outstanding Achievement in Drama: The Pitt (HBO Max)
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials: Death by Lightning (Netflix)
Outstanding New Program: Widow’s Bay
Individual Achievement in Comedy: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
Individual Achievement in Drama: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus (Apple TV)
Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: The American Revolution (PBS)
Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk and Sketch: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Outstanding Achievement in Reality: The Traitors (Peacock)
Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming: Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (Apple TV)
Outstanding Achievement in Animation: Long Story Short (Netflix)
Outstanding International Series: Squid Game (Netflix)
Career Achievement: Stephen Colbert
Heritage Award: In Living Color (Fox)
