PBS SoCal Leads L.A. Local Emmy Winners as David Ono Honored

PBS SoCal emerged as the biggest winner at the 78th Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, collecting eight trophies during a ceremony that celebrated excellence in local television journalism and programming. The event also highlighted the growing influence of Spanish-language broadcasters, while longtime ABC7 anchor David Ono received one of the evening's highest individual honors for his distinguished broadcasting career.

PBS SoCal and Spanish-language broadcasters define the biggest story of the 2026 L.A. Local Emmy Awards

The 78th Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards delivered more than a list of winners—it reflected the changing landscape of Southern California television. Hosted at the Skirball Cultural Center, the ceremony recognized outstanding achievements across local news, investigative reporting, cultural programming, sports coverage and public affairs. While major commercial stations continued to earn prestigious honors, the strongest performance came from public broadcasting. PBS SoCal finished the night with eight Emmy Awards, the highest total of any organization, reinforcing its growing reputation for producing educational, documentary and community-focused programming.

Spanish-language broadcasters also enjoyed one of their most successful nights in recent history. KMEX collected seven Emmy Awards, while sister station KVEA earned six. Their success demonstrated the increasing importance of bilingual journalism and culturally relevant storytelling across Southern California. Rather than competing only in language-specific categories, these stations were recognized for the overall quality of their reporting, production and community service. The results underline how audiences continue to seek trusted local journalism that reflects the diversity of one of America's largest media markets.

KABC and NBC4 each secured four Emmy Awards, proving that traditional English-language broadcasters remain highly competitive. Their victories across multiple categories highlighted the continued strength of established local newsrooms despite growing competition from digital media and streaming platforms.

David Ono's Governors Award became one of the ceremony's most memorable moments

While network achievements dominated the headlines, one of the evening's most emotional moments came when veteran ABC7 journalist David Ono received the 2026 Governors Award. The honor recognized more than three decades of commitment to broadcast journalism, thoughtful storytelling and public service. Throughout his career, Ono has become one of Los Angeles' most respected television personalities, known for covering major breaking news events while also producing in-depth reports that connect with viewers on a personal level.

The award was presented by his longtime co-anchor Jovana Lara, making the tribute especially meaningful for colleagues and viewers who have followed Ono's career over the years. His recognition served as a reminder that local journalism continues to rely on experienced reporters who build trust within their communities through consistency, credibility and accurate reporting.

The ceremony itself, hosted by entertainment reporter George Pennacchio, celebrated not only outstanding journalism but also the resilience of local television at a time when audiences consume news across multiple platforms. From investigative reporting to cultural storytelling and live breaking news coverage, the awards reflected an industry adapting to changing viewer habits while maintaining its commitment to public service. With PBS SoCal, KMEX and KVEA leading the winners list, this year's results suggest that diverse programming and community-focused reporting are increasingly shaping the future of local broadcasting in Los Angeles.

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