The Emmys Move to Prime Video in 6-Year Deal, TV Academy Chairman Explains Why

The Emmy Awards are moving to Prime Video in a six-year deal, as the Television Academy chairman explains the reasons behind the change. The telecast will now be hosted exclusively on Amazon's Prime Video platform for the next six years, bringing the ceremony to over 240 countries worldwide for free. This marks a shift away from the 31-year rotation between the traditional broadcast networks, including NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox.

The primary motivation behind this move is to reach a broader audience, with access being a non-negotiable priority for the Television Academy. The chairman of the Television Academy, Cris Abrego, highlighted the importance of maintaining continuity in production, creative, and branding efforts, as constantly rotating the telecast made it difficult to grow the Emmy Awards.

Amazon's Head of Prime Video and MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, expressed enthusiasm about the potential for innovation and modernization of the Emmy telecast. This deal allows Amazon to invest more heavily in marketing and evolving the telecast, rather than relying on different distributors each year. The new agreement keeps the Emmys' traditional early September timing, though the exact date has yet to be announced.

The deal covers the Creative Arts Emmys, as well as the presentation of guest acting and some limited series categories. It also paves the way for the TV Academy to create more Emmy-related content for streaming on Prime Video. The daytime Emmys telecast, organized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), remains unaffected by this change.

The move towards streaming exclusivity is part of the Academy's ongoing evolution, including the launch of FYC festival Televerse in 2025. The rotating wheel model for the Emmys began with ABC, CBS, and NBC from 1966 to 1986, before Fox took over distribution in 1987. The deal ended in 1995 amid declining ratings. The Television Academy then brought the wheel deal back with Fox in the mix until the current arrangement.

Despite a potential HBO offer in 2002, the Academy opted for the current streaming deal after considering broadcasters' support. Amazon sees itself as uniquely positioned to present the Emmys due to its partnerships with other media companies, such as HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+, Peacock, Fox One, and AMC Plus. The streaming platform can celebrate nominees and winners even if they are not subscribed to Prime Video, as they will be available on other Amazon services.

This move follows other award shows moving into streaming, including the Academy of Country Music Award, which Prime Video secured from CBS in 2021, and the Actor Awards, which moved from TNT to Netflix. The Oscars are also set to migrate to YouTube from ABC and Disney in 2029. For Abrego, this shift into streaming is the next step in the virtual evolution of network TV, rather than a statement against broadcast networks.