Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

Last updated
Primetime Emmy Award for Original Main Title Theme Music
Awarded forOutstanding Original Main Title Theme Music
Country United States
Presented by Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Currently held by Palm Royale (2024)
Website emmys.com

This is a list of the winning and nominated programs of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the award was presented with the "possibility of one, more than one, or no award given," resulting in several years where there were nominees without a winner. [1]

Contents

In the following list, the first titles listed in gold are the winners; those not in gold are nominees, which are listed in alphabetical order. The years given are those in which the ceremonies took place:

Winners and nominations

1980s

YearProgramNominee(s)Network
1988
(40th)
[2]
[note 1] 		Beauty and the Beast Lee Holdridge CBS
Great Performances John Corigliano PBS
The Law and Harry McGraw Richard Markowitz CBS
thirtysomething Stewart Levin and W. G. Snuffy Walden ABC
1989
(41st)
[3]
[note 1] 		Knightwatch Stanley Clarke
Men James Newton Howard
Paradise Jerrold Immel CBS
Tattingers Jonathan Tunick NBC
Unsub Mike Post

1990s

YearProgramNominee(s)Network
1990
(42nd)
[4]
[note 1] 		Carol & Company Dan Foliart and Howard Pearl NBC
FM Patrick Williams
The Simpsons Danny Elfman Fox
Twin Peaks Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch ABC
The Young Riders John Debney
1991
(43rd)
[5]
[note 1] 		ABC World of Discovery Lee Holdridge
Against the Law Thomas Newman Fox
Dream On Michael Skloff HBO
Hull High Stanley Clarke, Maureen Crowe, Lawrence Edwards, Peggy Holmes, Kenny Ortega, Charles Spellman, and David Weiss NBC
Singer and Sons Ray Colcord
1992
(44th)
[6]
[note 1]
Brooklyn Bridge Marvin Hamlisch, Alan and Marilyn Bergman USA
I'll Fly Away W. G. Snuffy Walden NBC
Major Dad Steve Dorff CBS
Silk Stalkings Mike Post
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Laurence Rosenthal ABC
1993
(45th)
[7] 		Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Dennis McCarthy Syndicated
Bob Lee Holdridge CBS
Bodies of EvidenceChristopher Klatman
Covington Cross Carl Davis ABC
Love and War Jonathan Tunick CBS
Picket Fences Stewart Levin
1994
(46th)
[8] 		seaQuest DSV John Debney NBC
Frasier Bruce Miller and Darryl Phinnessee NBC
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Jay Gruska ABC
NYPD Blue Mike Post
The X-Files Mark Snow Fox
1995
(47th)
[9] 		Star Trek: Voyager Jerry Goldsmith UPN
Chicago Hope Mark Isham CBS
ER James Newton Howard NBC
Friends Michael Skloff and Allee Willis
My So-Called Life W. G. Snuffy Walden ABC
1996
(48th)
[10] 		Murder One Mike Post ABC
Central Park West Tim Truman CBS
Chicago Hope Mark Isham
JAG Bruce Broughton NBC
Nowhere Man Mark Snow UPN
1997
(49th)
[11] 		EZ Streets Mark Isham CBS
The Cape John Debney Syndicated
Crisis Center Danny Lux NBC
Dark Skies Michael Hoenig
Early Edition W. G. Snuffy Walden CBS
1998
(50th)
[12] 		Fame L.A. Robbie Buchanan, Maribeth Derry, Richard Barton Lewis, and Tom Snow Syndicated
Four Corners Christopher Klatman CBS
Earth: Final Conflict Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon Syndicated
Nothing Sacred Mark Isham ABC
Sessions at West 54th Mitchell Froom PBS
1999
(51st)
[13] 		Trinity Martin Davich NBC
Profiler Danny Lux NBC
The PJs George Clinton, Quincy Jones III, La Rita Norman, and Marie Norman Fox
V.I.P. Frankie Blue Syndicated
Viva Variety Robert Ben Garant and Glen Roven Comedy Central

2000s

YearProgramNominee(s)Network
2000
(52nd)
[14] 		The West Wing W. G. Snuffy Walden NBC
FalconeJay Gruska CBS
Jack London's Call of the Wild Hal Foxton Beckett Animal Planet
Jack of All Trades Joseph LoDuca Syndicated
The Pretender Velton Ray Bunch and Mark Leggett NBC
2001
(53rd)
[15] 		Gideon's Crossing James Newton Howard ABC
Big Apple Marc Bonilla CBS
Soul Food Kenneth Edmonds and Al Green Showtime
Survivor Russ Landau CBS
Thoroughbred Michael Josephs Animal Planet
2002
(54th)
[16] 		Six Feet Under Thomas Newman HBO
A Day in Their Lives Mark Leggett History
First Monday Bruce Broughton CBS
Justice League Lolita Ritmanis Cartoon Network
Wolf Lake David Schwartz CBS
2003
(55th)
[17] 		Monk Jeff Beal USA
Boomtown Philip Giffin NBC
Everwood Blake Neely The WB
Miracles W. G. Snuffy Walden and Joseph Williams ABC
Penn and Teller: Bullshit! Gary Stockdale Showtime
2004
(56th)
[18] 		Monk Randy Newman USA
Deadwood David Schwartz HBO
Monster House Daniel Mackenzie Discovery
Nip/Tuck Jeffrey Cain, Cedric Lemoyne, and Gregory Slay FX
Two and a Half Men Lee Aronsohn, Grant Geissman, and Chuck Lorre CBS
2005
(57th)
[19] 		Desperate Housewives Danny Elfman ABC
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends James Venable Cartoon Network
Huff W. G. Snuffy Walden Showtime
Justice League Unlimited Michael McCuistion Cartoon Network
Stargate Atlantis Joel Goldsmith Sci Fi
2006
(58th)
[20] 		Masters of Horror Edward Shearmur Showtime
Get Ed Amin Bhatia and Ari Posner Toon Disney
Over There Chris Gerolmo FX
Prison Break Ramin Djawadi Fox
Rome Jeff Beal HBO
2007
(59th)
[21] 		The Tudors Trevor Morris Showtime
Dexter Rolfe Kent Showtime
Hu$tle Simon Rogers AMC
On the Lot Mark Williams and Jeff Lippencott Fox
30 Rock Jeff Richmond NBC
2008
(60th)
[22] 		Pirate Master Russ Landau CBS
Canterbury's Law Tree Adams Fox
Kid Nation Jeff Lippencott and Mark Williams CBS
Phineas and Ferb Dan Povenmire, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, Michael Hirano Culross, Carl Hill Williams, and Michael Walker Disney
Saving Grace Eric "Everlast" Schrody TNT
2009
(61st)
[23] 		Great Performances John Williams PBS
The Mole David Michael Frank ABC
Sons of Anarchy Bob Thiele, Dave Kushner, Curtis Stigers, and Kurt Sutter FX
Story Makers Bill Sherman AMC
United States of Tara Tim DeLaughter Showtime

2010s

YearProgramNominee(s)Network
2010
(62nd)
[24]
Nurse Jackie Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin Showtime
Human Target Bear McCreary Fox
Justified Jason Keaton and Oscar Owens FX
Legend of the Seeker [note 2] [25] Joseph LoDuca Syndicated
Warehouse 13 Edward Rogers Syfy
2011
(63rd)
[26]
The Borgias Trevor Morris Showtime
Any Human Heart Dan Jones PBS
Camelot Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna Starz
Episodes Mark Thomas Showtime
The Kennedys Sean Callery Reelz
Mildred Pierce Carter Burwell HBO
2012
(64th)
[27]
Page Eight Paul Englishby PBS
Great Expectations Martin Phipps PBS
Hell on Wheels Gustavo Santaolalla AMC
Homeland Sean Callery Showtime
Touch Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin Fox
2013
(65th)
[28]
Da Vinci's Demons Bear McCreary Starz
The Americans Nathan Barr FX
Copper Brian Keane BBC America
Elementary Sean Callery CBS
Hemlock Grove Nathan Barr Netflix
House of Cards Jeff Beal
2014
(66th)
[29]
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey Alan Silvestri Fox
Black Sails Bear McCreary Starz
Magic City Daniele Luppi
Sleepy Hollow Brian Tyler and Robert Lydecker Fox
The Spoils of Babylon Andrew Feltenstein and John Nau IFC
2015
(67th)
[30]
Transparent Dustin O'Halloran Amazon
The Dovekeepers Jeff Beal CBS
Marco Polo Daniele Luppi Netflix
Penny Dreadful Abel Korzeniowski Showtime
Texas Rising Bruce Broughton and John Debney History
Tyrant Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna FX
2016
(68th)
[31]
Marvel's Jessica Jones Sean Callery Netflix
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Rachel Bloom and Adam Schlesinger The CW
Narcos Rodrigo Amarante Netflix
The Night Manager Victor Reyes AMC
Sense8 Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer Netflix
The Whispers Robert Duncan ABC
2017
(69th)
[32]
Stranger Things Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon Netflix
Feud: Bette and Joan Mac Quayle FX
Genius Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe Nat Geo
The Good Fight David Buckley CBS All Access
Victoria Martin Phipps PBS
Westworld Ramin Djawadi HBO
2018
(69th)
[33]
Godless Carlos Rafael Rivera Netflix
The Last Tycoon Mychael Danna Prime Video
Marvel's The Defenders John Paesano Netflix
The Putin Interviews Jeff Beal Showtime
Somebody Feed Phil Mike Olson, Bridget Kearney, Mike Calabrese and Rachael Price Netflix
The Tick Chris Bacon Prime Video
2019
(71st)
[34]
Succession Nicholas Britell HBO
Castle Rock Thomas Newman Hulu
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen and Adam Schlesinger The CW
Good Omens David Arnold Prime Video
Our Planet Steven Price Netflix

2020s

YearProgramNominee(s)Network
2020
(72nd)
[35]
Hollywood Nathan Barr Netflix
Carnival Row Nathan Barr Prime Video
Defending Jacob Ólafur Arnalds Apple TV+
Unorthodox Antonio Gambale Netflix
Why We Hate Laura Karpman Discovery
Wu-Tang: An American Saga RZA Hulu
2021
(73rd)
[36]
The Flight Attendant Blake Neely HBO Max
Allen v. Farrow Michael Abels HBO
Bridgerton Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons Netflix
Ted Lasso Tom Howe and Marcus Mumford Apple TV+
WandaVision Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez Disney+
2022
(74th)
[37]
The White Lotus Cristobal Tapia de Veer HBO
Loki Natalie Holt Disney+
Only Murders in the Building Siddhartha Khosla Hulu
Severance Theodore Shapiro Apple TV+
Squid Game Jung Jae-il Netflix
2023
(75th)
[38]
Wednesday Danny Elfman Netflix
Andor Nicholas Britell Disney+
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities Holly Amber Church Netflix
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Howard Shore Prime Video
Ms. Marvel Laura Karpman Disney+
2024
(76th)
[39]
Palm Royale Jeff Toyne Apple TV+
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans Thomas Newman FX
Lessons in Chemistry Carlos Rafael Rivera Apple TV+
Masters of the Air Blake Neely
Shōgun Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross and Nick Chuba FX

Individuals with multiple wins

Individuals with multiple nominations

Programs with multiple wins

2 wins

Programs with multiple nominations

2 nominations

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. None of the nominees met the benchmark and no award was given.
  2. ↑ In 2010, Gaby Moreno and Vincent Jones were nominated for the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation . After learning the same theme music had been submitted for the show the previous year, the theme was ruled ineligible and sixth place finisher Joseph LoDuca received the nomination.

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References

  1. ↑ Emmy, Volume 12. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 1990. p. 47.
  2. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Emmy Music Nominations Announced". The Film Music Society . Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
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  29. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
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  31. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
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