Netflix Had A Down Year At The Emmys But It’s Not Time To Panic The Playlist

Sports fans have sports teams; television fans have streaming platforms. While much of the focus leading up to the 74th Emmy Awards has been centered on first-time nominees like “The White Lotus” or returning champions like “Succession,” the inside-baseball narratives centered on platforms like HBO Max and Netflix. With the latter slipping behind HBO in overall nominations—dropping from 129 in 2021 to 105 this year—the stage was set for a reshuffling of sorts of the television landscape.

READ MORE: 2002 Emmys: ‘Succession,’ ‘Ted Lasso,’ & ‘The White Lotus’ Win Top Honors [Full Winners List]

Netflix was the butt of the joke early and often this year, with Keenan Thompson riffing on the streamer’s billions in outstanding debt multiple times in the opening segments (“Squid Game” is the punchline that keeps on giving). But as the night went on, it became clear there were few huge upsets for the streaming platform and its shows.

Of the many Netflix shows nominated for an Emmy, the streamer’s biggest hopes came in the form of its three flagship shows: “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things,” and “Ozark.” The evening started off strong, with Julia Garner taking home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. But the night was defined more by missed opportunities than wins. No love for “Maid” and Margaret Qualley, no nods for “Inventing Anna,” only one win for Emmy stalwart “Ozark,” and no above-the-fold “Stranger Things” across the board.

There was no “The Crown,” no “The Queen’s Gambit,” no shows in the splashy categories—Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Drama or Comedy—and few opportunities to defend their position as the streamer-to-beat in the current media landscape. And while the streaming platform did well in categories like animation, with “Arcane” and “Love, Death + Robots” accounting for several key victories, this has to feel like a downward year for Netflix executives.

READ MORE: Succession’ Wins Emmy For Outstanding Drama Series

If there was a saving grace for Netflix, it was the performance of the “Squid Game” team. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk gave a heartfelt speech pointing towards the inclusion of more non-English language shows at the Emmy Awards, and Lee Jung-jae winning Outstanding Lead Actor probably ruined some betting pools (but warmed my cold, “Squid Game”-loving heart). Those two speeches are destined to top best-of lists for the next few days, and fans of international programming must be riding high with the doors those victories might open.

Is this an aberration? The beginning of a steep decline? It’s true that one season does not a platform make, but it’s hard not to note how quickly the landscape has shifted on Netflix. The streamer who practically invented binge releases is now contemplating an unthinkable switch, and shows like “Lord of the Rings” and “A Game of Thrones” are dominating the cultural conversations for potentially years to come. Our own Fall 2022 TV Preview piece only lists seven Netflix shows, with platforms like Hulu and even MUBI earning surprise appearances.

So no, tonight is not a night to panic, and nothing should take away from the success of “Squid Game” and its talented cast and crew. But as we enter into uncertain waters in an unsteady media landscape, it’s worth noting that Netflix’s quick rise to the top can always be repeated on the way down. The battle for your $14.99 a month is as open as ever.

See the full list of winners at the 2022 Emmy Awards