This page lists the winners and nominees for the
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series,
since its institution in 1951. The award is often cited as one of the "main awards" at the Emmys ceremonies,
and has changed names many times in its history. It was first called
Best Dramatic Show from 1951 to 1954, then
Best Dramatic Series in 1955 and 1956. In 1957 no specific award for drama was given, but in 1958 its name was changed again and this time it was two separate categories
Best Dramatic Anthology Series, and
Best Dramatic Series with Continuing Characters with a winner selected from each category. The name was changed again in 1959 to
Best Dramatic Series - Less Than One Hour. In 1960 the name was changed yet again to
Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama, this name was kept from 1960 to 1964. In 1966 it had its sixth name change to
Outstanding Dramatic Series or Outstanding Series-Drama this was used from 1966 until recently, when it became
Outstanding Drama Series.
