DStv and Showmax Dominate: Here’s How to Watch the 2025 Emmy Nominated Shows

The 2025 Emmy Nominations on DStv Showmax bring a treat for Joburg’s TV fans.

DStv Premium customers can dive into content boasting 161 Emmy nominations across DStv and Showmax, with Showmax included free with a Premium subscription.

What’s more, HBO Max’s record-breaking 142 nods dominate the 2025 Emmys, delivering gritty dramas and sharp comedies straight to your screen.

2025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax: HBO Max Leads the Pack

HBO Max is absolutely on fire with 142 nominations across 20 programmes. Picture The Penguin, a bold superhero spinoff, racking up 24 nods, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

Oswald Cobblepot, the Penguin (Colin Farrell), smiles across a dining table at Victor Pizarro (Rhenzy Feliz) in a luxurious restaurant setting, from the Emmy-contending series "The Penguin."

025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax. Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) holds a pistol, looking to the side with a determined expression in a dimly lit setting, a tense moment from the Emmy-contending series "The Penguin."

On top of that, The White Lotus sparkles with 23 nominations, chasing Outstanding Drama Series. The Last of Us, a post-apocalyptic masterpiece, grabs 16, while Hacks, last year’s comedy king, scores 14.

2025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax. A vibrant scene at a resort pool with a shirtless man walking by lounge chairs where people are relaxing in the sun, from "The White Lotus" Season 3.

2025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax. Guests enjoy a sunny beach in Sicily, with people swimming in the clear blue sea and lounging on the pebbled shore, with rugged hills in the background, from the Emmy-winning series "The White Lotus" Season 2.

Not only that, but House of the Dragon, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and The Righteous Gemstones each claim six, proving HBO’s got a vibe for everyone.

Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) from the Emmy-nominated series "Hacks" looks sad or contemplative while sitting in an audience, with another person in the background, likely during one of Deborah's shows.

Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) from the Emmy-nominated series "Hacks" on stage in a sparkly black outfit, striking a pose with her arm raised, with a blue curtain backdrop.

Star Performers in 2025 Emmy-Nominated Shows

The acting categories are bursting with talent. Take Jean Smart, absolutely owning Hacks and landing an Outstanding Lead Actress nod in comedy.

Her sharp wit makes it a must-watch. On the drama side, Kathy Bates, at 77, makes history as the oldest Lead Actress nominee in Matlock, which hit M-Net and streams on Showmax from 23 July 2025. “The role’s a game-changer,” says Bates.

2025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax. A landscape key visual for the Emmy Award-winning HBO Original series "The Last of Us," featuring Joel (Pedro Pascal) on the left and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) on the right with a rifle, against a backdrop of a decaying cityscape and the tagline "Every Path Has A Price."

2025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax. A striking promotional image for the Emmy-nominated series "The Last of Us" showing Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) back-to-back, against a backdrop of organic, branch-like growths forming wing shapes, symbolizing the Cordyceps infection.

2025 Emmy Nominations DStv Showmax. Dina (Isabela Merced) from the Emmy-nominated series "The Last of Us" looks serious or concerned in the foreground, with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in the blurred background, in an outdoor setting.

Likewise, Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal ignite The Last of Us, both earning lead acting nods. In the limited series race, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti dominate The Penguin, snagging lead actor and actress nominations.

More 2025 Emmy Hits Beyond HBO on DStv Showmax

DStv and Showmax pull in nominees from every corner, not just HBO Max. Say, ABC’s American Idol or CBS’s Survivor for some mainstream flair, or National Geographic’s Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color for a deeper dive.

Peacock’s Poker Face and Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale add an eclectic edge. Better yet, fresh titles are rolling in.

The Pitt, an HBO Max medical drama with 13 nods, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, with four, hit M-Net and Showmax in August and July, respectively.

Snubs and Streaming Wins for DStv Showmax Viewers

No awards season is without its heartbreakers. Think Guy Ritchie’s MobLand or Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone and Landman—massive streaming hits that missed out on nods.

No worries, though—DStv Premium customers can still binge these alongside 110 nominated titles on Showmax, with 23 more arriving by August 2025.

Showmax Entertainment starts at R50 per month, while DStv Stream Premium, which includes live channels and Showmax, is R699 per month.

Catch the 2025 Emmys Live with DStv Showmax

The Creative Arts Emmys kick off on 6 and 7 September 2025, with the main ceremony on 14 September 2025, live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

For Joburgers, that’s early Monday morning. Want to join the party? Sign up and start watching.

Where to Watch

DStv: www.dstv.com
Showmax: www.showmax.com
Full Emmy Nominee List: www.televisionacademy.com

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