The Television Academy announced today that it has reached a historic six-year agreement with Prime Video, making the streaming platform the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards beginning with the 2027 ceremony.
This is a pretty significant change for an awards show that has spent decades rotating among the major broadcast networks. The new agreement officially ends the Television Academy’s longtime “Wheel Deal” with ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, which concluded with this year’s telecast.
Beginning in September 2027, the Emmys will stream live exclusively on Prime Video. The ceremony will be available free to audiences worldwide, giving the Emmys the opportunity to reach viewers across more than 200 countries.
For an awards show that dates all the way back to 1949, this is a major shift in how the Television Academy plans to reach its audience.
“Television has never been more global, and the Emmys should be a celebration that the world can share,” Television Academy chair Cris Abrego said in announcing the deal.
Abrego also acknowledged the broadcast networks that have carried the ceremony for decades, calling them “tremendous stewards of the Emmys” while pointing to the possibilities that come with having one permanent global home.
“Having a dedicated home with Prime Video allows us to build on that legacy with unprecedented global reach and a broader commitment to the Television Academy and our mission throughout the year,” Abrego said.
The Television Academy and Prime Video say the six-year partnership is designed to turn the Emmys into more of a year-round cultural presence. Prime Video plans to use its various platforms and services to create additional opportunities for audiences to discover, engage with and celebrate television throughout the year.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said the company is honored to become the global home of the awards.
“For nearly eight decades the Emmys have recognized the best storytelling and talent in television, and we’re honored that Prime Video will be trusted as the global home for this celebration over the next six years,” Hopkins said.
The move also represents another significant moment in the continuing shift of major live events away from traditional television. Streaming services have increasingly invested in live sports, specials and awards programming, and now one of television’s most prestigious ceremonies is making that transition as well.
