Emmy Awards to leave broadcast TV for six-year Prime Video deal starting in 2027
AI Summary
Amazon Prime Video secures exclusive global rights to the Emmy Awards, ending the traditional broadcast network rotation starting with the 2027 ceremony.
The Emmy Awards will move from traditional broadcast television to Amazon Prime Video in 2027 under an exclusive six-year global streaming agreement announced Tuesday.
Under the new deal, Prime Video will serve as the permanent home for the awards, ending the traditional rotation between ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. International reported that the previous "wheel-deal" setup had been in place since at least 1994. TechCrunch noted that while the show has rotated across these broadcasters for the past seven decades, this agreement marks the first time the ceremony has a dedicated platform.
The awards will stream live and for free to audiences in more than 240 countries and territories, including those without a Prime Video subscription. BBC News reported that Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, called the platform the new "global home" for the event. The Television Academy and Amazon have not disclosed the official financial terms of the contract.
The transition follows a shift in viewing habits as audiences move toward digital platforms. TechCrunch reported that the 2026 Emmy ceremony on NBC saw ratings fall nearly 10% from the prior year to 6.87 million viewers, though this remained above the record low of 4.3 million seen in early 2024. For Amazon, the deal adds a major entertainment event to a live portfolio that already includes the NFL, NBA, and UEFA Champions League.
Television Academy chair Cris Abrego said in a statement that the move provides the Emmys with "unprecedented global reach." Research director Mike Proulx of Forrester told BBC News that the existing broadcast setup had become out of sync with an industry where most innovation now originates on streaming services.
Background
The agreement follows other major awards shows moving to digital platforms, such as the SAG Awards joining Netflix in 2024 and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 2025 announcement that the Oscars will move to YouTube in 2029.
How outlets covered it
Get our daily briefing first.
We're starting a short daily email with the stories most outlets are covering. Join the list to get the first one.
Free. No spam.
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation!