Emmy Awards to Stream on Prime Video in Landmark Deal

The Emmy Awards will move to Prime Video beginning in 2027, marking a significant shift for the 70-year-old television tradition. The Television Academy announced a six-year deal with Amazon that will see the prestigious awards ceremony stream on Prime Video, ending its long-standing rotation among broadcast networks.

The agreement means the Emmys will align with the growing dominance of streaming services in the television landscape. For decades, the ceremony aired on one of the four major broadcast networks—ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC—in a yearly rotation. The last broadcast network to host the Emmys was NBC in September.

This move is comparable to the Oscars' recent decision to shift to YouTube, signaling a broader trend among major awards shows to adapt to evolving viewing habits. However, unlike the Oscars' deal which begins in 2029, the Emmys' transition to Prime Video is effective immediately, starting with the 79th Primetime Emmy Awards next September.

"Continuity is a big part of what we're looking for because the rotating part of it basically meant in many ways that we were starting over every year," said Cris Abrego, chairman of the Television Academy. "With one partner over six years, we can really learn together and build from year to year together."

Despite the move to a streaming platform, the Emmys will remain free to watch, a crucial demand made by the Academy throughout the negotiation process. No Prime Video subscription will be required to tune in.

Amazon sees the partnership as an opportunity to boost viewership and attract a younger demographic. "I think we're going to be able to increase the viewership over time on this show, age it down, actually bring in a younger audience, which I think is a catalyst to growing," stated Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. He added that Prime Video plans to leverage its platform to promote Emmy nominees throughout the year, encouraging customers to watch nominated shows and the awards ceremony itself.

Abrego emphasized that Prime Video's role as a comprehensive television hub was a key factor in the decision. "They really support all television," he said. "We want reach, we want access, and we felt Amazon was in line with that."

Awards shows across the industry have experienced declining viewership in recent years due to audience fragmentation. The Emmys, while still recognizing high-quality programming, have seen their audience shrink from a peak of over 20 million viewers to around 7 million. Amazon hopes its hybrid approach, combining live and on-demand content, will help reverse this trend.

Prime Video has a history of airing live events, including NFL games, and views live programming as a priority. The Emmy Awards will continue to air in September in 2027, though Abrego noted that discussions about potentially adjusting the date in the future are open, which could impact industry deadlines and voting schedules.