The 44th Daytime Emmy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), "recognizes outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to individuals and programs broadcast from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the 2016 calendar year".

[2][3] The ceremony, livestreamed in the United States by Facebook Live and Periscope Producer, was executively produced by Michael Levitt, David Parks, and the Senior Vice President of the Daytime Emmy Awards, David Michaels.

[6][7] In related events, the Academy held its 44th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony also at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on April 28, 2017.

[2] On January 26, 2017, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mary Hart.

[3] Soap Opera Digest reported that former All My Children star Susan Lucci would make an appearance at the ceremony, as part of a segment paying tribute to the serial's creator, Agnes Nixon.