In a significant move, the Emmy Awards will now be exclusively broadcast on Prime Video starting in 2027 through a six-year agreement between Amazon and the Television Academy. This marks the end of a long-standing tradition of the awards show airing on major broadcast networks for over seven decades.
The transition to streaming services reflects the evolving landscape of prestigious award ceremonies like the Emmys, which have been dominated by platforms like Prime Video in recent years. Since 1955, the Emmy Awards have been broadcast annually on one of the four major networks, with NBC being the first to nationally air the show, which was most recently hosted by NBC.
Moving forward, the shift to a single long-term partnership with Prime Video starting from next year’s awards ceremony in September represents a significant change for the Television Academy. This move aims to bring continuity and stability to the event, allowing for continuous growth and improvement over the duration of the agreement.
Despite the transition to a streaming platform, the Emmy Awards will remain accessible to viewers for free, without the need for a Prime Video subscription. This decision aligns with the Academy’s commitment to keeping the awards show accessible to a wide audience.
The shift to Prime Video follows a similar move by the Oscars, which recently announced a partnership with YouTube starting in 2029. Unlike the Oscars’ deal, which was announced in 2025 and will take effect in 2029, the Emmy Awards’ move to Prime Video is effective immediately.
As viewership for awards shows continues to decline in today’s fragmented media landscape, the Academy and Amazon are optimistic that Prime Video’s reach and diverse programming offerings can help attract a wider audience to the Emmys. By leveraging Prime Video’s platform and partnerships, such as the availability of Emmy-winning shows like “Widow’s Bay” and “The Studio,” the Academy hopes to engage younger viewers and boost viewership numbers over time.
While acknowledging the significance of the shift to streaming platforms, Chairman of the Television Academy, Cris Abrego, emphasized that the focus remains on recognizing excellence in television content, regardless of the delivery method. The move to Prime Video aligns with Amazon’s strategy of prioritizing live events and offering a hybrid viewing experience that combines live and on-demand content.
Looking ahead, the Emmys will continue to be held in September 2027, but the possibility of changing the date in the future is open for discussion with Amazon, providing flexibility for potential adjustments as the partnership evolves.