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The Emmy Awards are leaving traditional broadcast television behind. Starting in 2027, Prime Video will become the exclusive streaming home of television's biggest awards show, and viewers won't need a subscription to watch.
The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a landmark six-year agreement that will bring the Emmy Awards exclusively to Amazon's streaming platform beginning in September 2027.
For the first time in the ceremony's history, the Emmys will have a single, dedicated global home, with the annual awards show streaming live and free in more than 240 countries and territories.
The agreement marks a major shift for one of television's longest-running awards ceremonies and signals another significant move away from traditional broadcast television.
The Emmys Are Leaving ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC
For decades, the Emmy Awards have rotated among America's four major broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
That arrangement, commonly known as the "Wheel Deal," allowed each network to take turns broadcasting the ceremony.
However, the longstanding agreement concluded with the 2026 telecast, opening the door for a completely different approach.
Beginning in 2027, Prime Video will become the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards for six consecutive years, ending the traditional network rotation.
Instead of moving between networks each year, viewers will know exactly where to find the ceremony.
The change also represents a significant milestone for streaming services, which continue to secure programming that was once exclusively associated with traditional television.
You Won't Need Amazon Prime to Watch the Emmys
One of the biggest announcements surrounding the deal is that viewers won't need an Amazon Prime membership or Prime Video subscription to watch the Emmy Awards.
The ceremony will stream live and free through Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.
That means audiences around the world will be able to watch television's biggest stars, creators, and productions receive their awards without paying for a streaming subscription.
The Emmys will continue their traditional September scheduling, keeping the ceremony positioned as one of the entertainment industry's major annual events.
Specific broadcast dates and additional viewing details for the 2027 ceremony have not yet been announced.
Prime Video Wants to Make the Emmys a Year-Round Experience
The partnership goes beyond simply streaming the annual awards ceremony.
Prime Video and the Television Academy plan to expand the Emmys into a year-round entertainment experience, creating additional opportunities for viewers to discover and celebrate television.
Although specific programming initiatives have not yet been revealed, the agreement is designed to bring audiences closer to the shows, performers, and creative professionals recognized by the Television Academy.
The partnership could also introduce the Emmy Awards to viewers who might not traditionally tune in to a live awards ceremony.
Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, emphasized the importance of making the event accessible to a worldwide audience.
“Television has never been more global, and the Emmys should be a celebration that the world can share,” Abrego said.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, also expressed enthusiasm about bringing the ceremony to the platform.
“For nearly eight decades, the Emmys have recognized the best storytelling and talent in television,” Hopkins said.
Another Major Win for Streaming Platforms
The Emmy Awards' move to Prime Video reflects a broader transformation in how audiences watch major television events.
Streaming platforms are no longer focused exclusively on movies and television series. They're increasingly becoming destinations for live sports, concerts, special events, and now major awards ceremonies.
For Amazon, securing the Emmy Awards provides another recognizable entertainment property that can attract viewers from around the world.
For the Television Academy, the partnership offers an opportunity to reach a much larger international audience through a single streaming destination.
It's also a notable development considering the Emmy Awards were created in 1949 to celebrate excellence in television.
Nearly eight decades later, the ceremony recognizing television's biggest achievements is preparing to move entirely to streaming.
When Will the Emmy Awards Start Streaming on Prime Video?
The first Emmy Awards ceremony under the new agreement will take place in September 2027.
Prime Video will exclusively stream the ceremony worldwide for six years, with the agreement running through 2032.
Viewers will be able to watch live without purchasing an Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscription.
Additional information about the 2027 ceremony, including its official date, host, and programming plans, will be announced later.
For television fans, the biggest takeaway is simple: Starting next year, watching the Emmy Awards will be as easy as opening Prime Video.
And for the television industry, the move represents another major chapter in the continuing transition from traditional broadcasting to streaming.
Source: Prime Video / Television Academy Official Announcement
