NEW YORK (March 2, 2026) – The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the winners of the Fourth Annual Children’s & Family Emmy®Awards, held this evening at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York. The ceremony was streamed live and is available to watch on watch.theemmys.tvand via The Emmys® apps.
Hosted by award-winning actor, director, and puppeteer John Tartaglia, the ceremony marked the first Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards to present every competitive category in one ceremony, celebrating each craft and performance category together in one night. Critically-acclaimed singer Regina Spektor opened the evening with a touching performance of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, the iconic opening song from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Joe Locke was recognized as Outstanding Lead Performer for his performance in “Heartstopper,” while John Lithgow won for his voice performance in “Spellbound” and Ana Gasteyer won her first Emmy Award for her voice performance in “RoboGobo.” Tabitha Brown took home the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Personality for “Tab Time” which also won for Writing for a Preschool or Children’s Series.
The leadership and staff of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting were recognized with the unique Chairman’s Award for its dedication to delivering quality educational programs to millions of families across the United States throughout its almost 60-year history. NATAS Chairman Terry O’Reilly presented the award – marking the first given during a Children’s & Family Emmy ceremony – with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s former Chair, Ruby Calvert, accepting on behalf of the organization’s team.
“Today’s honorees reflect the extraordinary creativity and care that go into serving television’s youngest audiences and the families who watch alongside them,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS.
In his welcome remarks to the audience, Sharp said “Thank you to all of you, the creators of the excellent programming we have the distinct privilege of honoring tonight. You don’t need to look far to find division and pain in our world. Yet each of you, every day, finds ways to touch the soul of our global family, reminding us of the limitless potential in the unpainted canvas of childhood. You educate, you inform, you entertain, and you inspire.”
Presenters for the evening included Rachel and Aron Accurso (“Ms. Rachel”), Jennifer Barnhart and “Zoe” (“Sesame Street”), Monique Coleman (“High School Musical”), Frankie Cordero and “Purple Panda” (“Donkey Hodie”), Stephanie D’Abruzzo and “Duck Duck” (“Donkey Hodie”), Ava Joyce McCarthy (“The Primrose Railway Children”), Bill Nye (Lifetime Achievement Honoree at CAFE Honors ceremony the night before), Tori Prentice and Adrianna Walker (“Harlem Ice”), Chanel Stewart (“Win or Lose”), June Squibb (“Storyline Online”) and Kari Wahlgren (“Legends of Evergreen Hills”). Tartaglia, D’Abruzzo, and Barnhart presented together, marking a reunion of these puppeteers from the original Broadway cast of “Avenue Q.” Alyssa Tucker (Live From Snack Time) served as the special red carpet correspondent.
The Fourth Annual Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards was produced by NATAS with Lara Gates and Adam Sharp, Executive Producers; John D’Incecco, Director; Mike Drucker, Writer; Adrienne Ratto, Producer; and Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.
All awards are judged by a pool of more than 1,000 peer professionals from across the television industry, whose confidential ballots were then tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Lutz & Carr, LLP.
The complete list of winners is also available at theemmys.tv.
About the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Awards for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime and Children’s & Family programming, as well as achievements in television Technology & Engineering.
NATAS membership is made up of National members joined by more than 18,000+ broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the country. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including its National Student Production Awards for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships for aspiring filmmakers and broadcasters.
For more information, please visit the website at http://www.theemmys.tv/
