NEWPORT BEACH, CA (April 28, 2026) – The second annual Newport Beach TV Fest, presented by the Newport Beach Film Festival, made its first 2026 programming lineup and honoree announcement. The four-day celebration of television artistry will run June 4-7, 2026, bringing together an exciting lineup of screenings and events that highlight the full spectrum of television talent, from breakthrough creators to celebrated industry leaders.
“The Newport Beach TV Fest is proud to celebrate an exceptional group of honorees again this year whose work represents the pinnacle of television,” said Gregg Schwenk, CEO and Executive Director of the Newport Beach TV Fest. “From visionary creators like the team behind Hacks to standout ensembles from Landman and Shrinking, along with influential voices such as Andy Cohen and Sebastian Maniscalco, this year’s lineup highlights the depth, creativity, and cultural impact of the medium. We’re thrilled to bring this level of talent to Newport Beach and to continue building a festival that honors innovation and excellence in television.”
The 2026 Newport Beach TV Fest will honor the following at the Lido Theater, with additional programming to be announced:
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Andy Cohen will receive the Variety Creative Impact in Television Award on Friday, June 5, at 7:00pm.
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“Hacks” showrunners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky will receive the Showrunner of the Year Award on Saturday, June 6, at 6:00pm.
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“Landman” will receive the Outstanding Drama Ensemble Award on Saturday, June 6, at 4:00pm. Attendees will include Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Andy Garcia, and Michelle Randolph.
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Sebastian Maniscalco will receive the Standup Comedy Special of the Year on Sunday, June 7, at 4:00pm.
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“Shrinking” will receive the Outstanding Comedy Ensemble Award on Sunday, June 7, at 12:00pm. Attendees will include Jason Segel, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley.
Tickets for the Newport Beach TV Fest events and screenings are available at nbtvfest.com.
Honorees
Andy Cohen — Variety’s Creative Impact in Television Award
Andy Cohen is an Emmy Award-winning host, producer, and author best known as the host and executive producer of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Bravo’s late-night, interactive talk show. Cohen also serves as one of the executive producers across Bravo’s “The Real Housewives” franchise. He has two personally curated channels on SiriusXM, as well as his own book imprint, Andy Cohen Books. He is a 5- time New York Times best-selling author and annually co-hosts CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live special, alongside Anderson Cooper. In his ten years as an executive at Bravo, he was responsible for a dynamic slate of unscripted series and specials including hits such as “Top Chef,” “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” “Project Runway,” “Shahs of Sunset,” the “Million Dollar Listing” and “The Real Housewives” franchises, among others. Cohen received a Primetime Emmy for “Top Chef” in 2010 and has been nominated for 18 additional Emmy Awards.
“Hacks” showrunners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky — Showrunner of the Year Award
The Emmy®-winning comedy series Hacks is now streaming new episodes of its fifth and final season on HBO Max. In the aftermath of mistaken and unflattering news reports that she passed away, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) return to Las Vegas more determined than ever to secure Deborah’s legacy as a comedian. Hacks is created and showrun by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky. The series is executive produced by Downs and Aniello via their Paulilu banner, Statsky via First Thought Productions, as well as Michael Schur via Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment, Morgan Sackett, Joe Mande, Aisha Muharrar, Nate Young, and Ashley Glazier. The studio is Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
“Landman” — Outstanding Drama Ensemble Award
Set in the boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern tale of fortune seeking amongst roughnecks and wildcat billionaires — fueling an oil boom so big it’s reshaping the climate, the economy and geopolitics. In Season Two, as oil rises from the earth, so do secrets — and Tommy Norris’s (Billy Bob Thornton) breaking point may be closer than he realizes. Facing mounting pressure from M-Tex Oil, Cami Miller (Demi Moore), and the shadow of his kin, survival in West Texas isn’t noble — it’s brutal. And sooner or later something’s got to break.
Sebastian Maniscalco — Standup Comedy Special of the Year
Sebastian Maniscalco is a record-breaking comedian and one of the highest-grossing touring acts in the world, known for his dynamic physical comedy and sharp, observational storytelling. He has sold out iconic venues including Madison Square Garden and the United Center and made history as the first comedian to headline Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome. His latest special, It Ain’t Right, debuted as Hulu’s top title within 24 hours as part of its Hularious slate. Expanding beyond stand-up, Maniscalco recently signed a multi-year deal with SiriusXM. In film, he has appeared in The Irishman, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and About My Father, which he co-wrote, produced, and starred in alongside Robert De Niro. On television, he stars in Max’s Bookie, which he executive produced alongside Chuck Lorre. Maniscalco also appears in Apple’s first scripted podcast, Easy Money: The Charles Ponzi Story. Together with his wife, Lana, he leads the Tag You’re It! Foundation supporting veterans, Alzheimer’s research, and underserved communities.
“Shrinking” — Outstanding Comedy Ensemble Award
The Emmy®-nominated series “Shrinking” follows a grieving therapist who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives… including his own. “Shrinking” is created by Emmy® winners Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein along with Emmy® nominee Jason Segel, and stars Segel, Emmy® nominee Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Emmy® nominee Jessica Williams, Emmy® nominee Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley.
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