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Oh, how television has changed. TV’s biggest night, the Emmys, is leaving broadcast TV and will now be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video for the next six years, the Television Academy announced Tuesday, October 6.
The move to Amazon will begin in 2027, and the show will be available on Prime Video for free worldwide, even though Prime Video is a subscription service. It makes it the first permanent home for the Emmys in years, as the show has historically operated under the so-called “Wheel Deal,” rotating between CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC each year. The 2026 ceremony was broadcast on NBC, hosted by Mariska Hargitay.
It’s a big move for the awards show, which has seen ratings decline, including a 10 percent drop this year compared to 2025, with just 6.8 million viewers. But it also follows in the footsteps of the Oscars jumping to YouTube after long airing on ABC.
“Television has never been more global, and the Emmys should be a celebration the world can share,” said Cris Abrego, chairman of the Television Academy. “Now Prime Video audiences in more than 200 countries will be able to experience the Emmys live with no subscription required. Our broadcast partners have been outstanding stewards of the Emmys for many years, helping build them into the cultural institution they are today. Bringing the investment, innovation and scale to help us shape its next chapter.”
“For nearly eight decades the Emmys have recognized the best storytelling and talent in television, and we are honored to trust Prime Video as the global home for this celebration over the next six years,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “Streaming the Emmys for free on Prime Video is another way to deliver the best entertainment to our customers around the world, and we look forward to collaborating with the Television Academy on this iconic event.”
The move for the Emmys also follows a recent big change at the Television Academy. The TV Academy and NATAS recently merged, bringing together two rival organizations that had a frosty relationship for years and ultimately bringing the Primetime Emmys and the Daytime Emmys under one roof.
For Amazon Prime Video, this adds to the Thursday Night Football deal with the NFL, which also airs for free with commercials, and Amazon has also made other shows available to stream behind the paywall.
While past Amazon shows like “Fleabag” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” have been strong Emmy contenders, this year the streamer was not nominated in the top three categories of Comedy Special, Drama, or Limited Series.
