LOS ANGELES – Amazon and the Television Academy have reached a six-year agreement to move the Emmy Awards to Prime Video beginning in 2027, marking the end of a seven-decade history of broadcast networks presenting the program recognizing the finest in television.
The partnership announced on Tuesday represents a move away from the streaming services that have completely dominated the prestige categories at the Emmy Awards.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | The Emmys are moving to Prime Video under a new six year agreement. |
| Where | Prime Video, with free access to the awards broadcast. |
| When | Beginning with the 79th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2027. |
| Who is involved | The Television Academy and Amazon MGM Studios. |
| Current status | The new six year partnership has been announced. |
| Why it matters | The deal ends the Emmys’ long running rotation among ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. |
Since 1955, the show has aired on one of the four major broadcast networks each year. NBC was the first to broadcast it nationally and the last to host it last month. For the previous three decades, it has been rotated annually between ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC under what was known as the “Wheel Deal.”
The most significant shift may be the establishment of a single, long-term home beginning with the 79th Primetime Emmy Awards next September.
“Continuity is an important aspect of what we’re striving for since rotating signified, in many respects, that we were starting.
Emmys Leave Broadcast TV for Prime Video
The decision is similar to the Oscars’ contract revealed in December, which sent them to YouTube and ended their own, equally long association with broadcasters. However, unlike the last agreement, which was announced in 2025 and went into force in 2029, this one takes effect immediately.
In a more fragmented world, nearly all awards programs have witnessed dramatic decreases in viewership, and the Emmys have routinely lagged behind the Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes, despite increasing praise for the shows they recognize.
Amazon Plans to Grow Emmy Viewership
Both the Academy and Amazon have stated that Prime Video, as a platform for viewing so much Emmys content, whether it is a Prime production or a streaming collaboration, has the potential to change that.
The major winners of the previous two Emmys, “Widow’s Bay” and “The Studio,” can now be seen on Prime Video thanks to its collaboration with Apple TV.
“I think we’re going to be able to increase the viewership over time on this show, age it down, actually bring in a younger audience, which I think is a catalyst to growing,” Hopkins stated.
Emmys Focus on Excellence, Not Delivery
Abrego stated that this technique, as well as Prime Video’s function as a television center, were important factors in moving the show there.
“They really support all television,” he said. “We want reach, we want access, and we felt Amazon was in line with that.”
While Abrego acknowledged the significance of the transition to streaming and its ramifications, he emphasized that the content is far more essential than how it is given.
“The Academy has never defined television by how it reaches your screen or even which screen it reaches,” he stated.
Amazon’s Live Events Could Boost Emmys Viewership
Live events on Amazon have been around for quite some time. It has been over a decade since it first broadcasted an NFL game, and many other important sports and events have followed.
“We look at our service as something that’s a hybrid between live and on-demand, and we’ve made live a real priority,” Hopkins stated.
Football has long been an issue for the Emmys. Its time slots on Sunday or Monday nites in September almost invariably collide with the NFL’s ratings behemoth.
Emmys Begin New Era With Prime Video Partnership
Both parties are anticipated to focus on making the Emmys more accessible to streaming fans.
The Emmys are ditching their long-standing broadcast network rotation to form a six-year deal with Prime Video.
The decision reflects the evolving television market and allows the Academy to develop a consistent long-term plan for streaming, live programming, and audience development.
