Television Critics Association Announces 2025 Award Winners: ‘The Pitt,' ‘The Studio' And ‘Adolescence' Earn Honors

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Noah Wyle (center) stars in "The Pitt." He is also an Executive Producer on the series. Photograph by Warrick Page/Max
Via an online ceremony, The Television Critics Association (TCA) today announced the winners of the organization's 41st Annual TCA Awards, honoring the best television offerings from the 2024-2025 season.
HBO's dynamic first-year medical drama The Pitt topped all other programs with four wins, including the top prize: Program of the Year Award.
The series' other victories include Achievement in Drama, Outstanding New Program, plus an Individual Achievement in Drama award was bestowed upon lead the series lead actor Noah Wyle, earning his first TCA Award.
In his acceptance speech, Wyle remarked, 'It is an honor to be nominated, especially in that company, and it is incredibly gratifying to win. I've known a lot of you for a long time. You've written some lovely things about me through the years and about my shows, especially this one.'
Somebody Somewhere star Bridget Everett has been given the Individual Achievement in Comedy award for her role as Sam Miller, and says about receiving the award, 'I am beyond grateful to be honored for this show, which has meant so much to me. And I'm especially grateful to have the opportunity to thank you, the critics, who saw what we were trying to do from the very beginning.'
Peacock's The Traitors won its second consecutive Outstanding Achievement in Reality award. Host and executive producer Alan Cumming upon receiving this recognition said, '[It] really means a lot, especially coming from the critics, because when you start something new and different and you're trying to change a genre, in a way, it's really heartening that the critics get that and notice and receive it in the way that it was intended and support it.'
Other notable winners include Apple TV+'s star-studded industry satire The Studio , whose inaugural season produced a win for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy. Netflix's headline-grabbing portrait of online extremism Adolescence nabbed Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials, while HBO's powerful two-part Paul Reuben profile Pee-wee as Himself pedaled off with Outstanding Achievement in News and Information.
SNL50: The Anniversary Special , NBC's landmark legacy celebration, proved ready for primetime, taking home Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk Or Sketch; with the Disney+'s long-running sci-fi spectacular Doctor Who grabbing its second-straight Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming honor;
Pioneering educational series Sesame Street added to its trophy case with its fourth Outstanding Achievement In Children's Programming prize.
TCA bestowed its esteemed Career Achievement honor upon Kathy Bates, who said, 'Your recognition means the world to me, and I'm grateful to all of the TCA members for this incredible honor. Your support and dedication to the television industry are invaluable, and I am truly humbled by your acknowledgment.'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Kathy Bates arrives at the Fall Schedule Celebration at Paramount Studios on May 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic) FilmMagic
Bates' award is in recognition of five decades of excellence at the highest levels of both stage and screen. A respected Oscar and Golden Globe winner whose impressive resumé boasts touted turns in blockbuster films such as Misery , Titanic , Primary Colors , About Schmidt , Fried Green Tomatoes , and The Waterboy , Bates has seamlessly parlayed her big screen skills into TV immortality. She most notably showcased her wide-ranging repertoire with consecutive Emmy wins in 2012 and 2013, where she was awarded Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance as Charlie Harper's Ghost on 'Two and a Half Men,' followed by Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her portrayal of the devious Delphine LaLaurie in 'American Horror Story: Coven.'
Her diverse television credits also include celebrated roles in a bevy of hit series and specials such as The Office, Six Feet Under, King of the Hill, The Big Bang Theory, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Harry's Law, Feud: Bette and Joan , and many more. Bates can currently be seen as the titular legal extraordinaire in the modern reimagining of Matlock on CBS, for which she recently received her landmark 15th Emmy nomination.\
In presenting one of its highest honors—the prestigious Heritage Award — TCA chose to recognize the family friendly long-running series Sesame Street in recognition of the groundbreaking program's enduring cultural impact and strong commitment to helping generations of children learn their ABCs, 123s, and so much more.
Sesame Street made television history as the first kid-focused series to employ educational goals and develop its programming around an actual curriculum.
'Thank you, TCA,' Elmo said in his acceptance on behalf of the show. 'You know, you're some of our favorite letters on Sesame Street . We're gonna put this award on a shelf in Hooper's Store for everyone to see. Oh, Elmo hopes the Cookie Monster doesn't try to eat it, though! Thank you, TCA. Elmo loves you.'
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Sesame Street characters Cookie Monster (L) and Elmo ride in the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade on December 28, 2022 in San Diego, California. Billed as America's Largest Balloon Parade, the annual event draws over 100,000 spectators. (Photo by) Getty Images
With nearly 60 years of sustained success to its credit, Sesame Street stands out as one of the longest-running shows on television and is largely considered to be among the greatest programs of all time—amassing more than 220 Emmy Awards and 11 Grammys in the process. Though the show, itself, continues to grow and change in a reflection of ever-evolving tastes, interests, and curriculum, it has never lost sight of its driving initiative to instill important values of critical thinking, friendship, and curiosity in children around the world.
'Each of these TCA Award winners not only entertained us, but also immersed us in the lives of characters, both fictional and real-life. We're thrilled to honor them,' said TCA President Andy Dehnart, the founder and editor of reality blurred . 'TCA exists to support our members' work and celebrate TV's role in our culture, and with these awards and accompanying videos, we're doing both.'
Top picks for each category were revealed across TCA's social media accounts, where TCA members commended the winners' craft and work followed by an acceptance speech from winners.
TCA's cast their votes for exceptional programming offerings from the 2024-2025 television season in 14 distinct categories.
The new The Television Critics Association logo. Courtesy: The Television Critics Association
The winners of the awards were selected by the TCA's membership, which consists of more than 235 professional television journalists from across the United States and Canada, who are considered experts within the industry, representing their employers as moderators, panelists, radio/TV guests and more. For additional information about the TCA, visit www.tvcritics.org
Below is the list of 2025 Television Critics Association winners. YouTube versions of presentation and acceptance videos are linked below; all videos can be found under the hashtag #TCAAwards on TCA's social media channels:
The 2025 TCA Award recipients are as follows:
Program of the Year — 'The Pitt' — HBO Max
Presented by TCA Secretary Danette Chavez, The A.V. Club editor-in-chief Accepted by 'The Pitt' cast and producers
https://youtube.com/shorts/kHAh-Z5aCYE
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy — 'The Studio' — Apple TV+
Presented by TCA Board director Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence senior entertainment editor Accepted by 'The Studio' cast and producers
https://youtube.com/shorts/kvaTPund0bY
Outstanding Achievement in Drama — 'The Pitt' — HBO Max
Presented by Tamara Fuentes, Cosmopolitan entertainment editor
https://youtube.com/shorts/a1MKf74wHxs
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials — 'Adolescence' — Netflix Presented by Lacy Baugher Milas, Paste Magazine TV editor Accepted by 'Adolescence' Co-Creator and Writer Jack Thorne
https://youtube.com/shorts/gc8wjI5eB_8
Outstanding New Program — 'The Pitt' — HBO Max
Presented by Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, Fangirlish
Individual Achievement in Drama — Noah Wyle, 'The Pitt' — HBO Max Presented by TCA Treasurer Megan Vick
Accepted by Noah Wyle
Individual Achievement in Comedy — Bridget Everett, 'Somebody Somewhere' — HBO
Presented by TCA Board director Kevin Fallon, The Daily Beast's Obsessed editor
Accepted by Bridget Everett
Outstanding Achievement in News and Information — 'Pee-wee as Himself' — HBO
Presented by TCA President Andy Dehnart, reality blurred founder and editor Accepted by 'Pee-wee as Himself' Executive Producer and Director Matt Wolf
https://youtube.com/shorts/dQJSDMU65qc?feature=share
Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk or Sketch — 'SNL50: The Anniversary Special' — NBC Presented by freelance journalist Liam Mathews
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B2vrcBkVx4M
Outstanding Achievement in Reality — 'The Traitors' — Peacock (2024 Winner)
Presented by Hanh Nguyen, Salon.com executive editor Accepted by 'The Traitors' Host and Executive Producer Alan Cumming
https://youtube.com/shorts/iBnBTasQINc
Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming — 'Doctor Who' — Disney+ (2024 Winner)
Presented by TCA Board director Matt Mitovich, TVLine founding editor Accepted by 'Doctor Who' star Varada Sethu
https://youtube.com/shorts/XQL67VTts7I
Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming — 'Sesame Street' — HBO (2001-PBS, 2011-PBS & 2018-HBO Winner in Youth Category)
Presented by TCA Board director Alex Reif, LaughingPlace.com senior writer
Accepted by Elmo
Career Achievement Award – Kathy Bates Presented by past TCA President Jacqueline Cutler
Accepted by Kathy Bates
Heritage Award – 'Sesame Street' Presented by TCA Vice President Amy Amatangelo Accepted by Elmo
https://youtube.com/shorts/TW53srCy3fM
Past TCA Award winners are listed on the organization's official website, tvcritics.org/tca-awards .