The Emmy Awards are leaving broadcast television for Amazon Prime Video, marking a major shift in the industry. The Television Academy announced a six-year deal with Amazon, making the Emmys exclusively available on Prime Video starting next September. The ceremony will stream for free worldwide without requiring a subscription.
This move reflects broader trends, as streaming now dominates U.S. television viewing, with 49 percent of all viewing on streaming services compared to 19.5 percent on broadcast. Cris Abrego, chairman of the Television Academy, called the transition "a pretty big step" but noted the line between broadcast and streaming is blurring. The Emmys had rotated among ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC for decades, but viewership has declined significantly—from 16 million twenty years ago to 6.8 million this year.
Amazon's Mike Hopkins aims to "energize" the show and attract a younger audience. The deal also allows for earlier planning, unlike the previous rotation system. In recent years, broadcast networks collectively paid about $9.5 million annually for the rights.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing