The 2026 Emmy Awards are set to look different this year as the Television Academy announces major changes to the main televised ceremony.
The upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards will feature only 19 award presentations during the live broadcast, a significant drop from the 26 categories shown during the 2025 ceremony.
Several major categories, including supporting acting awards, have been removed from the main telecast and will now be presented during the Creative Arts Emmys.
The Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress categories for a Limited Series or TV Movie will no longer appear during the main event. These awards will instead be handed out during the Creative Arts Emmys, scheduled for September 5 and 6.
The main Emmy Awards ceremony will continue with its live broadcast on NBC on September 14.
Other categories moved away from the televised show include Writing for a Variety Series, Directing for a Limited Series or TV Movie, Writing for a Limited Series or TV Movie, and Writing for a Variety Special (Live).
Despite the changes, the acting categories remain filled with major Hollywood names. Supporting actor nominees include Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Richard Gadd, Charles Melton, and Nick Offerman.Mandy Moore Shares Honest Post-Baby Body Reality
The supporting actress lineup features stars such as Dakota Fanning, Laurie Metcalf, Linda Cardellini, Youn Yuh-jung, and Constance Zimmer.
The Television Academy explained that the decision was made due to the growing number of television productions receiving recognition each year. However, organizers said the live ceremony must remain within a three-hour time limit.
According to the Academy, the revised format aims to create a smoother and more engaging experience for viewers while highlighting the biggest moments of television’s biggest night.Julia Garner and Mark Foster End Six-Year Marriage
The 2026 Emmy Awards will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay. Among this year’s leading nominees, The Pitt tops the list with 25 nominations, followed by Hacks with 24 and Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay with 19.
The changes mark a new approach for the Emmys as the ceremony adapts to the expanding television landscape and changing audience expectations.