How to watch the 2026 Emmy nominations and everything else you should know
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Whether you covet a golden statuette of your own or just want to see your favorite show sweep its categories, it’s time to start gearing up for the 2026 Emmy Awards.
The best way to stay in the know is to follow nominations as they’re revealed in real time Wednesday. It may have been a somewhat underwhelming year for television, but there are still a number of standout series to root for and races with the potential to surprise us.
Will Jean Smart win her fifth straight Emmy for “Hacks”? Will “Widow’s Bay” shoot to the top of the nominations list despite its late-season arrival? And which streamer will dominate the ceremony?
Read our predictions here, and find everything you need to know about this year’s nominations below.
‘Beef,’ ‘Hacks’ and ‘The Pitt’ seem set to run the table in this year’s Emmy nominations, but there’s still intrigue to be found in the race, writes columnist Glenn Whipp.
When will Emmy nominations be announced?
Nominations for the 78th Emmys will be announced live Wednesday starting at 8:30 a.m. Pacific/11:30 a.m. Eastern. Emmy winners Liza Colón-Zayas (“The Bear”) and Jeff Hiller (“Somebody Somewhere”) will do the honors, along with Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego.
How can I watch?
You can livestream the announcement on the Television Academy’s website or Youtube channel. If social media is more your speed, you can also stream it on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram.
Who are the predicted nominees?
“Pluribus” and “The Pitt” are expected to lead in overall nominations, with the latter poised to shine in the acting categories.
Other top drama series likely to score a nomination include “Task,” “Paradise,” “Slow Horses” and “The Diplomat.”
In the comedy field, “Hacks” is once again considered the frontrunner on the heels of its fifth and final season. “Shrinking,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear” and “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” are also strong contenders.
With many past winners and popular contenders out of the running this year, the 2026 Emmys are likely to be heavy on TV that’s just ... fine, our columnist writes.
Among limited series, nominations are probable for “Beef,” “Half Man,” “DTF St. Louis” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.”
This year’s awards will honor programming that aired between June 2025 and May 2026, meaning summer releases are not eligible. Neither are foreign productions, which means the Canadian hockey romance “Heated Rivalry” is off the table.
When is the actual awards show?
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. It will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock.
In January, the Television Academy announced that this year’s ceremony will include the first new major prize in almost 20 years: the Legacy Award, which will be “presented to television programs that have made a ‘profound and lasting impact’ on audiences and remain relevant to society, culture and the industry.”
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards, honoring artistic and technical achievements, will be held Sept. 5 and 6.
The “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” actor will host the awards ceremony on Sept. 14 in Los Angeles.
Who’s hosting the Emmys?
Mariska Hargitay will be hosting the 78th Emmy Awards, the academy revealed Tuesday. The Emmy winner is best known for her longtime role as Olivia Benson in NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
