Music Nominees for the 2026 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards: Full List
The fourth annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards nominations were recently unveiled, spotlighting a vibrant array of musical talent in children’s programming. Among the standout nominees are Disney+’s *Descendants: The Rise of Red* and Netflix’s *Spellbound*, both of which have garnered multiple nominations in the music categories. The beloved *Sesame Street*, a staple of children’s entertainment for over 50 years, is also in the running with its original song “Music, Music,” nominated for outstanding original song for a preschool program. This recognition underscores the continued importance of music in engaging young audiences and enhancing their viewing experiences.
The nominations were announced on November 18 by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), during a live-streamed event featuring messages from notable figures in children’s media, including Ms. Rachel and Bob Bergen from *Looney Tunes*. The awards ceremony is set to take place in New York City on March 1 and 2, marking a significant moment for the Emmy Awards as they embrace the vibrant world of children’s programming. The event will be held at the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, bringing together industry professionals to celebrate the creativity and innovation in this genre.
In the music categories, *Descendants: The Rise of Red* is highlighted not only for its compelling storytelling but also for its musical contributions, with nominations for outstanding music direction and composition for both live-action and children’s programs. Similarly, *Spellbound* and *Heart* from Apple TV+ are recognized for their animated musical scores. The full list of nominees showcases a diverse range of productions, from Disney+’s *Kindergarten: The Musical!* to PBS Kids’ *Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band*, emphasizing the rich tapestry of music that continues to resonate with young viewers. As the industry gears up for the awards, it’s clear that music remains a powerful tool in shaping memorable and impactful children’s content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYOWuV3l7yI
Descendants: The Rise of Red
, a Disney+ show, and
Spellbound
, on Netflix, received multiple nominations in the music categories for the fourth annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. And
Sesame Street
, which has been turning out memorable songs for more than half a century, including “Sing,” “Bein’ Green” and “Rubber Duckie,” has a nominee for outstanding original song for a preschool program with “Music, Music.”
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The nominations were announced on Tuesday (Nov. 18) by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Nominations were announced live on NATAS social platforms, plus in-person in a NATAS membership event in partnership with the Children’s Media Association New York chapter. The nomination announcement featured video messages from stars across the children’s programming landscape including Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron (
Ms. Rachel
), Bob Bergen (
Looney Tunes
), John Tartaglia (
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
), Josh Dela Cruz (
Blue’s Clues & You!
), Gobo Fraggle (
Fraggle Rock
), and Donkey Hodie (
Donkey Hodie
). This presentation will be available to stream on watch.theemmys.tv and via The Emmys app on Wednesday (Nov 19).
The awards ceremony is set to take place in New York City for the first time on March 1 and 2 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
Here’s a full list of the nominees in the four music categories. The complete nominations list is available on the
NATAS website
.
Outstanding music direction and composition for a live action program
Descendants: The Rise of Red,
Disney+ [Disney Branded Television]
Henry Danger: The Movie,
Nickelodeon
Love in the Forest “
A Real Bug’s Life
,”
National Geographic [Plimsoll Productions]
Open Your Mind a Little, “
Secrets at Red Rocks
,”
BYUtv [Libertine Pictures]
Welcome to Camp Nightmare, “
Goosebumps: The Vanishing
,”
Disney+ [Sony Pictures Television]
Outstanding music direction and composition for an animated program
Heart
, “WondLa,” Apple TV+ [Skydance Animation]
Part 4: A Night to Remember
, “Dream Productions,” Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Spellbound
, Netflix [Skydance Animation]
That Christmas
, Netflix [Locksmith Animation]
There’s Always a Fortune in the Cookie Factory
, “Gremlins: The Wild Batch,” HBO | Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
Outstanding original song for a preschool program
“Grow Your World,”
Rise Up, Sing Out
, Disney+ I Disney Jr.
“I’m on My Way,”
Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band
, PBS Kids [GBH Kids | Global Mechanic]
“I Want To Go Home,”
Kindergarten: The Musical!
, Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Oddbot Inc]
“Music, Music,”
Sesame Street,
HBO Max [Sesame Workshop]
“One Colorful Ocean,”
Disney Jr.’s Ariel
, Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Wild Canary]
“The Show Will Go On,”
RoboGobo
, Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Brown Bag Films]
Outstanding original song for a children’s or young teen program
“It’s Okay,”
Zombies: The Re-Animated Series
, Disney+ I Disney Channel
“No Better,”
Ultraman: Rising
, Netflix [Tsuburaya Productions]
“Red,”
Descendants: The Rise of Red
, Disney+ [Disney Branded Television]
“Red Christmas,”
Descendants: The Rise of Red
, Disney+
“Still Haunted By You,”
Girl Haunts Boy
, Fifth Season [Wonder Worldwide]
“The Way It Was Before,”
Spellbound,
Netflix [Skydance Animation]
