The 31st Daytime Emmy Awards, commemorating excellence in American daytime programming from 2003, was held on May 21, 2004 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Vanessa Marcil hosted. Creative Arts Emmy Awards were presented on May 15, 2004. , it is the last Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony to have aired on NBC. The nominees were announced on May 4, 2004.

Nominations and winners

The following is a partial list of nominees, with winners in bold:

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team

Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team

Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show

Outstanding Game Show Host

Outstanding Talk Show

Outstanding Talk Show Host

Outstanding Service Show

Outstanding Service Show Host

Outstanding Special Class Series

Outstanding Children's Animated Program

Outstanding Special Class Animated Program

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition

Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program

Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series

Outstanding Children's Series

Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to 10 veteran soap opera performers in recognition of their many years of service to the genre:

• • Anna Lee died a week before the awards ceremony and was honored with a brief moment during the telecast. Her award was accepted on her behalf by her son, actor Jeffrey Byron.