The Television Academy is making significant changes to the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, moving five major categories out of the live televised ceremony in an effort to streamline the broadcast and address years of declining viewership.
The affected categories will instead be presented during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, scheduled for September 5 and 6, 2026, while the main Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will air on Monday, September 14, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Among the categories removed from the primetime telecast are Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie, Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie, and Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie.
AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE SHOW MOVING
According to the Television Academy, the decision is part of a broader strategy to shorten the live broadcast, which has frequently exceeded three hours and struggled to maintain audience engagement.
By shifting these awards to the Creative Arts Emmys—held several days before the main event and not broadcast live—the Academy hopes to deliver a faster-paced telecast centered on the evening’s highest-profile honors, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor, and Outstanding Lead Actress.
The move reflects a growing effort to modernize one of television’s most prestigious award shows while adapting to changing viewing habits.
RATINGS CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE THE EMMYS
The restructuring comes as the Emmy Awards continue to face declining television audiences. While the ceremony routinely attracted more than 20 million viewers during its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, recent broadcasts have averaged between 5 and 8 million viewers in the United States.
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards drew approximately 7.59 million viewers, with some industry reports noting an estimated 8% increase in certain audience measurements compared to previous years. Despite that modest rebound, the telecast remains far below its historical highs.
Industry analysts point to several factors behind the decline, including the fragmentation of television audiences and changing consumption habits. Younger viewers increasingly prefer watching highlights, acceptance speeches, and viral moments through platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X, rather than sitting through an entire awards show.
FEWER SUBMISSIONS ALSO PLAYED A ROLE
The Television Academy has also experienced a decline in Emmy submissions. For the third consecutive year, entries decreased across several categories, with particularly noticeable drops in limited series, pre-recorded variety specials, and other programming areas.
This is not the first time the Academy has adjusted its format. In 2020, several categories were also moved off the main broadcast as organizers sought to shorten the ceremony during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2026 changes follow a similar philosophy: streamline the broadcast, focus on marquee awards, and create a more engaging television experience in hopes of slowing the long-term erosion of Emmy viewership.
KEY DATES FOR THE 2026 EMMY AWARDS
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, 2026, where winners in the relocated categories will be announced. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on Monday, September 14, 2026, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The ceremony will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay, star of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, and will be broadcast on NBC, with live streaming available on Peacock. Production will once again be handled by Jesse Collins Entertainment.
