Emmys to stream exclusively on Prime Video in six-year deal starting 2027

The Emmy Awards are leaving broadcast television for streaming. The Television Academy and Amazon announced on Tuesday 6 October 2026 a six-year deal making Prime Video the exclusive global home of the Emmys, beginning with the 79th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2027 (CNN, AP).

The ceremony will stream free worldwide, with no Prime subscription required, across Prime Video’s footprint of more than 240 countries and territories (Entertainment Weekly, TechCrunch).

The deal ends a broadcast era stretching back to 1955, when NBC first carried the Emmys nationally; for roughly 31 years ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC rotated hosting duties under the so-called “Wheel Deal” (CNN, AP).

Television Academy chair Cris Abrego said: “Television has never been more global, and the Emmys should be a celebration that the world can share” (CNN). He told the AP: “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. With one partner over six years, we can really learn together and build from year to year together.”

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said: “Streaming the Emmys free on Prime Video is another way we’re delivering the best in entertainment to our customers worldwide” (EW), adding to the AP: “We’re on the clock, we gotta get rolling.”

The move follows falling ratings: the 2026 ceremony drew 6.87 million viewers on NBC, down nearly 10% on the year before, after January 2024’s all-time low of 4.3 million (TechCrunch). It joins a wider awards-show migration — the Oscars move to YouTube from 2029, the SAG Awards have streamed on Netflix since 2024, and the Grammys move to Disney (ABC, Hulu, Disney+) from next year (CNN). TheWrap reports the deal is worth around $15 million a year, citing a person with knowledge of the agreement.