Mario Lopez to Host 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards: Everything You Need to Know
The Daytime Emmy Awards are soon upon us! We have to admit daytime television doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. But come October 17, 2025, the folks behind your favorite soaps, talk shows, and cooking programs will finally get their moment to shine. And who better to guide us through this celebration than Mario Lopez, the man who’s practically made a career out of being everywhere at once?
Mario Lopez Returns to Host the Daytime Emmy Awards
The 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards has officially tapped Mario Lopez as this year’s host, and frankly, it’s along overdue. The former Saved by the Bell cute heartthrob and current Access Hollywood co-host (with the “most”) totes knows his way around live television better than, well, pretty much anyone. Lopez isn’t just “phoning” it in either – this guy thoroughly understands the daytime scene, and he knows all the ins and outs. Lopez worked across multiple platforms and genres throughout his long career.
What makes this choice very smart is Lopez’s natural ability to balance professionalism with that his approachable charm. The daytime audiences love this. He’s not going to overshadow the nominees with unnecessary theatrics, but he’s also not going to bore viewers to tears with any stiff teleprompter reading.
When and Where to Catch All the Daytime Emmy Awards Action
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 17, 2025, because the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California will be buzzing with daytime television’s biggest stars. The ceremony kicks off at 7:00 PM, but here’s where things get a little challenging – you won’t find this on your regular TV schedule. Bummer.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences decided to go digital-first this year, streaming the entire ceremony live on watch.theemmys.tv and through The Emmys app. It’s a bold move that honestly makes sense given how viewing habits have shifted. Why compete with prime-time programming when you can own your own streaming space? We’ll see exactly how that works out later.
Access Hollywood‘s Week-Long Daytime Emmy Awards Coverage
Access Hollywood isn’t just sending Lopez to host and calling it a day. They’re going all-out with five, yes five dedicated nights of Daytime Emmy Awards coverage starting Monday, October 13. This isn’t your typical “here are the nominees” fluff piece either – we’re talking serious behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and industry insights.
The real treat comes on October 20, when Access Hollywood will dive deep into the ceremony aftermath with red carpet moments, winner (and loser) reactions, and exclusive footage you won’t see anywhere else. It’s the kind of comprehensive coverage that shows they actually care about daytime television as an art form, not just a ratings grab.
The Biggest Names and Lifetime Achievement in Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations
The Young and the Restless is absolutely dominating this year with 19 nominations – and rightfully so. The CBS soap has been delivering consistently solid storytelling and performances that prove daytime drama is far from dead. General Hospital follows with 16 nominations, while Days of Our Lives rounds out the top three with 13 nods.
But let’s talk about the real stars here: Deborah Norville receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award is long overdue recognition for a broadcasting legend. Meanwhile, seeing Jane Elliot (Tracy Q.) from General Hospital getting her due feels like the industry is finally acknowledging what soap fans have known for decades – these performers are delivering true Oscar-worthy work on a daily basis.
The expansion from 34 to now 37 categories shows the Daytime Emmy Awards are evolving with the medium, recognizing new forms of storytelling and production techniques that didn’t exist even five years ago. We’re excited to see how things shake out with this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards.
