Late-night television is once again making a strong showing at the Webby Awards, with several of the genre’s biggest names earning nominations across multiple social media and digital categories. From viral short-form videos to more ambitious campaigns, shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are up for awards in 2026.
The Webby Awards are given out by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences in recognition of achievement online. This year's ceremony is bigger than ever, with more categories for podcasts, social media influences, and artificial intelligence applications.
In the Television & Film, General Social category, Jimmy Kimmel Live! earned a nomination for its social media presence, alongside competitors like South Park and Warner Bros.’ campaign for A Minecraft Movie. Also nominated is The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, highlighting how Stephen Colbert’s team continues to translate nightly political humor into highly shareable digital content.
Kimmel’s digital profile is further recognized in the Celebrity/Fan, General Social category, where his personal and show-affiliated social presence is nominated alongside high-profile names like Jennifer Garner and the Backstreet Boys. The nomination proves that no late-night host has become a bigger star outside of their respective show than Kimmel, due in large part to his public feuds with politicians and activism.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show dominate the Best Social Video Series – Shortform, Social Features category with their “Digital Originals.” The show has built a reputation for creating platform-specific content that often feels tailor-made for TikTok and Instagram rather than simply repurposed show clips. This strategy has helped Fallon’s team stay ahead of the curve as viewing habits shift beyond just television broadcasts.
That advantage is even more evident in the Entertainment, General Social category, where The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is again nominated. Compared to others in late-night, Fallon’s show has leaned heavily into pre-planned digital moments by often coordinating with A-list guests to produce viral segments before they even get to The Tonight Show. The recent appearances by global superstars BTS generated massive engagement online, further demonstrating the show's success.
Even outside traditional late-night shows, the genre’s personalities are represented in the Best Co-Hosts, Features category. The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast earn Seth Meyers a nomination alongside Saturday Night Live alumni Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer.
In the Best Partnership or Collaboration, Features category, late-night TV legend and current podcast giant Conan O'Brien earned a nomination. He's up for his collaboration with historian Tom Holland on The Rest Is History: The Complete History of The Beatles.
Taken together, this year’s Webby nominations reflect the changes in late-night TV. Today’s hosts are competing in a crowded social media landscape. And while multiple shows are in the running, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appears to be operating on a different level altogether.
The Tonight Show boasts 29 million followers just on TikTok. For comparison, The Late Show has just under 4 million, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! has just over 3 million followers. With such a strong digital strategy, Jimmy Fallon and company could very well earn it at least one Webby when the winners are announced.
Webby Award winners will be announced on April 21. A separate ceremony is scheduled for May 11, hosted by The Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson,