Emmys Ceremony Undergoes Radical Revamp: Five Categories Pulled from NBC Broadcast!

The Television Academy has announced a significant restructuring of the Emmy Awards presentation, aiming to enhance the entertainment value of its primetime telecast on September 14, 2026. This initiative will see the number of categories presented during the main broadcast reduced from 26 to 19, with five specific awards being shifted to earlier ceremonies scheduled for September 5 and September 6, 2026. The categories moved include Writing for a variety series, Supporting actor and actress in a limited/anthology series or movie, Directing for a limited series/anthology or movie, and Writing for a limited series/anthology or movie.

According to TV Academy chair Cris Abrego, the primary goal behind this strategic shift is to create more time within the three-hour primetime telecast for musical performances, comedic sketches, and more spontaneous acceptance speeches. Abrego emphasized the Academy's commitment to delivering a telecast that not only celebrates television excellence but also offers a compelling viewing experience for evolving audiences. He noted that while there's no "perfect solution" given the extraordinary work recognized across all categories, the decision was made to be as balanced and equitable as possible, spreading the changes across various disciplines like performance, writing, and directing.

This move comes as the Academy seeks to revitalize the ceremony, which has historically struggled to integrate significant entertainment segments due to the sheer volume of awards. Abrego acknowledged that some individuals within the affected peer groups might be "upset" by the changes and indicated that the Academy plans to engage with the respective guilds to explain the rationale. He reiterated that the decision is fundamental to "protect and enhance the future of the telecast and future of the Academy," ensuring the Emmy Awards remain the premier celebration of television for both the current industry and future generations.

Historically, the Television Academy has faced challenges and controversies in its attempts to streamline the Emmy telecast. Previous efforts, such as moving writing categories or pre-taping award presentations in 2023, 2009, and 2005, have often been met with objections from guilds like the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA). These guilds have, in the past, threatened to revoke waivers that allow the Academy to show clips from nominated series for free during the telecast, thereby gumming up plans. Abrego indicated that outreach to the guilds is the next crucial step after the Board of Governors' approval, following "incredibly meaningful, thoughtful discussion."

A significant aspect of this restructuring is the dropping of the "Creative Arts" distinction for the September 5 and September 6 ceremonies. Moving forward, all three Emmy events – September 5, September 6, and September 14 – will simply be referred to as "the Emmys," reflecting Abrego's belief that "every Emmy is incredibly valuable" and aiming to bring equity to all parts of the awards. Talks are ongoing to bring back a tape-delayed special of the first two nights, which in recent years had been edited into a special on FXX. This decision, made in cooperation with NBC and producers Jesse Collins Entertainment, aims to provide "real time to get real creative" with the show.

The 77th Emmy Awards last year on CBS averaged 7.4 million viewers, an 8% increase from the prior year, marking it as the most-watched edition since 2021. This revamp also occurs as the traditional network "wheel deal," where major networks take turns broadcasting the ceremony, expires after this year's NBC edition. While Abrego clarified that Thursday's decision was separate from these broader negotiations, it could be perceived as a good faith effort to address concerns about the declining audience draw of awards shows as the Academy negotiates a new deal.

The 78th Emmy Awards will be hosted by "Law & Order: SVU" star and executive producer Mariska Hargitay. The main telecast will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live. The Emmy Awards formerly known as Creative Arts will take place on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, 2026.

78th Emmy Awards Categories — Saturday, September 5, 2026

Outstanding Casting For A Reality Program, Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming, Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program, Outstanding Commercial, Outstanding Costumes For Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Programming, Outstanding Directing For A Documentary/Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Directing For A Reality Program, Outstanding Directing For A Variety Series, Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special, Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Series, Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Emerging Media Program, Exceptional Merit In Documentary Filmmaking, Outstanding Game Show, Outstanding Hairstyling For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program, Outstanding Host For A Game Show, Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality Competition Program, Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series Or Special, Outstanding Innovation In Emerging Media Programming, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Series, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Special, Outstanding Makeup For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program, Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary/Nonfiction Or Reality Program (Original Dramatic Score), Outstanding Music Direction, Outstanding Narrator, Outstanding Performer In A Short Form Comedy Or Drama Series, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Structured Reality Or Competition Program, Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program, Outstanding Picture Editing For Variety Programming, Outstanding Picture Editing For Variety Programming (Segment), Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special, Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Or Reality Series, Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama Or Variety Series, Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction Or Reality Series, Outstanding Sound Editing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program, Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Reality Program, Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special, Outstanding Structured Reality Program, Outstanding Technical Direction And Camerawork For A Series, Outstanding Technical Direction And Camerawork For A Special, Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-recorded), Outstanding Writing For A Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series, Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special.

78th Emmy Awards Categories — Sunday, September 6, 2026

Outstanding Animated Program, Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series, Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series, Outstanding Casting For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Character Voice-over Performance, Outstanding Choreography For Scripted Programming, Outstanding Cinematography For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (Half-hour), Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (One Hour), Outstanding Contemporary Costumes For A Series, Outstanding Contemporary Costumes For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling, Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-prosthetic), Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-fi Costumes, Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series, Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation, Outstanding Motion Design, Outstanding Movie, Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score), Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score), Outstanding Music Supervision, Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics, Outstanding Period Or Fantasy/Sci-fi Hairstyling, Outstanding Period Or Fantasy/Sci-fi Makeup (Non-prosthetic), Outstanding Period Costumes, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Drama Series, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Multi-camera Comedy Series, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Single-camera Comedy Series, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour Or More), Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Period Or Fantasy Program (One Hour Or More), Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-hour), Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup, Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-hour) And Animation, Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour), Outstanding Sound Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special, Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-hour) And Animation, Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour), Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie, Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Single Episode, Outstanding Stunt Coordination For Comedy Programming, Outstanding Stunt Coordination For Drama Programming, Outstanding Stunt Performance, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Title Design, Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie.

78th Emmy Awards NBC Telecast Categories — Monday, September 14, 2026

Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, Outstanding Reality Competition Program, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series, Outstanding Variety Series, Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series.