HBO vanquishes rivals, sets record with 43 Emmy Awards

HBO owns the throne.

The premium pay-TV network captured 43 Primetime Emmy Awards this year, sweeping major categories in the Television Academy’s celebration of excellence in the medium. During Sunday’s awards show, HBO won for outstanding drama series for “Game of Thrones,” outstanding comedy series for “Veep,” and outstanding limited series for “Olive Kitteridge.”

The 43 Emmy Awards was the largest haul in HBO’s history.

The big night came as HBO has been working to establish itself as the industry’s leading TV service amid a fast-changing and fragmented media landscape.

“Once in a while, the stars align and beautiful things happen ... and that’s what happened tonight,” HBO programming President Michael Lombardo said late Sunday during HBO’s after-party at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

Emmys 2015: Full coverage

“We’ve sat through many of these nights where we’ve had a lot of nominations and don’t leave on top of the world ... so I am enjoying this night and realizing it’s an amazing moment,” Lombardo said.

HBO, which is owned by Time Warner Inc., had no trouble vanquishing its rivals, including Netflix, Showtime, Starz, Amazon, ABC, AMC, NBC, CBS and Fox. The Emmy wins should help HBO solidify its position as the first stop for Hollywood producers and writers pitching their projects -- and it could also entice consumers to sign up for HBO Now, the $14.99-a-month standalone streaming service.

HBO more than doubled its prize total compared with that of 2014, when it was nearly shut out in the top categories.

“Game of Thrones,” based on George R.R. Martin’s book series, surpassed all other TV shows with 12 Emmy wins. In addition to the outstanding drama honor, Peter Dinklage won for best supporting actor in a drama, and David Nutter won for outstanding directing for a drama series.

“It’s the first time in a very long time that a big, popular show won best drama series,” Lombardo said. “Sometimes it feels like the Emmys is antithetical. If it’s popular, it can’t be a winner. This somehow broke the paradigm.”

“Olive Kitteridge,” HBO’s four-hour miniseries, scored eight Emmys, including key acting honors in the limited series category. Frances McDormand, Richard Jenkins and Bill Murray won their acting categories.

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The political comedy “Veep” won five statuettes, including outstanding lead actress in a comedy by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and outstanding supporting actor by Tony Hale.

“I think the scope of this night, we would be lying to say it isn’t thrilling. It is,” said a jubilant HBO Chief Executive Richard Plepler, who was mobbed by well-wishers at the HBO after-party.

“It’s recognition of this extraordinary array of talent that comes to work with us that we’re privileged to work with on a weekly basis,” Plepler said. “We’re only as good as the people who come to work with us, and we’re very, very fortunate that the best choose us.”

Early Nielsen ratings numbers suggest that the audience for Sunday’s Emmy Awards telecast was down this year compared with 2014’s.

The program was up against stiff competition from “Sunday Night Football” on NBC and “Fear the Walking Dead” on AMC.

Twitter: @MegJamesLAT

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