Home
» New Trends
»
Where to Watch the 2026 Emmy Awards Live: NBC, Peacock, Start Time and International TV
Where to Watch the 2026 Emmy Awards Live: NBC, Peacock, Start Time and International TV
The fastest answer: the 78th Emmy Awards air live coast-to-coast on NBC and stream live and on demand on Peacock on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. Mariska Hargitay hosts the ceremony from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.
That is the main Emmy telecast. If you see an Emmy program on Saturday, September 12, do not confuse it with Monday's ceremony: the September 12 program is an edited broadcast of the Creative Arts Emmy nights on FXX, with streaming on Hulu the following day. The Television Academy's current viewing page confirms both schedules. Check the official Television Academy viewing guide before showtime for the latest information.
A gold Emmy statuette stands against a black-and-gold awards-stage backdrop, matching the ceremony viewers can follow live on NBC and Peacock.
2026 Emmy Awards at a Glance
Detail
Confirmed information
Main ceremony
78th Emmy Awards
Date
Monday, September 14, 2026
Start time
8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
U.S. broadcast
NBC, live coast-to-coast
U.S. streaming
Peacock, live and on demand
Host
Mariska Hargitay
Venue
Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE, Los Angeles
The current details above come directly from the Television Academy and Peacock. The Academy announced Hargitay as host in July and confirmed the Monday-night live NBC/Peacock telecast; Peacock's event page likewise lists the ceremony for September 14. See the official Peacock Emmy event page for the streaming listing.
Which U.S. Viewing Option Should You Use?
For most U.S. viewers, the choice is between an existing NBC source and Peacock. The best option depends on what you already pay for and whether you want to watch on a television channel or directly through a streaming app.
Option
Best for
What to know
NBC through antenna or TV provider
Viewers who already receive their local NBC station
The ceremony airs live coast-to-coast; no separate Peacock subscription is necessary if your existing setup works.
Peacock Premium
Streaming-first viewers who mainly want the Emmy event stream
Peacock's Emmy event page currently offers Premium as an eligible plan and lists live sports and events.
Peacock Premium Plus
Viewers who also want a 24/7 live local NBC channel and broader no-ads benefits
Live events and the local NBC channel can still contain regular commercial breaks.
International rights holder
Anyone outside the United States
Use the Television Academy's country-by-country list; Peacock availability and rights should not be assumed abroad.
If you already have NBC
Use the NBC feed you already receive. That may be through an over-the-air antenna, cable, satellite or another television package that includes your local affiliate. Because the 2026 ceremony is airing live coast-to-coast, East Coast and West Coast viewers see it simultaneously at 8:00 p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. PT rather than waiting for a tape-delayed West Coast broadcast.
Practical check: open your local NBC channel before Monday night and confirm it is available on the television or provider app you intend to use. If your household already has reliable NBC access, buying another subscription solely for the main telecast may be unnecessary.
If you want to stream directly on Peacock
Peacock explicitly lists the 78th Emmy Awards as a live event. Its current event page presents Premium and Premium Plus as plan choices. As of September 2026, Peacock lists Premium at $12.99 per month and Premium Plus at $19.99 per month for new or returning subscribers, with annual options also available. Prices can change, so verify the amount at checkout rather than treating an older article as authoritative.
The main reason to choose Premium Plus for this event is not that the Emmy stream itself requires it. Premium Plus additionally provides access to a 24/7 live local NBC station on supported devices, while Peacock's dedicated Emmy event stream is presented on its event page with both Premium and Premium Plus. Peacock documents its current prices in the official subscription-price notice.
If you want your actual local NBC station inside Peacock, Peacock says that feature is tied to Premium Plus and uses your device location to determine the station. The service also warns that live channels and live events can still contain ads. See the official Peacock local-NBC guidance.
Can You Watch the Emmys On Demand?
Yes. The Television Academy states that the main 78th Emmy Awards ceremony will stream live and on demand on Peacock. This matters if 8:00 p.m. ET is inconvenient or you join after the ceremony has begun.
Do not assume, however, that every feature of a live channel behaves like a DVR. Peacock notes that its 24/7 local NBC Channel cannot be paused, fast-forwarded or rewound in the Channels section. If catching up later is your priority, the dedicated on-demand Emmy program is the more relevant feature than the local-channel feed.
What Is Airing on September 12?
The Saturday program is the 78th Emmy Awards (Creative Arts), not the main Monday primetime telecast. The Creative Arts ceremonies were held on September 5 and 6. An edited presentation airs on FXX on Saturday, September 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, and the Television Academy says it will be available on Hulu the next day.
This distinction is especially useful this weekend because a search for “Emmys live” can surface both programs. If you want the host-led main ceremony with the major primetime categories, set your reminder for Monday, September 14. If you want the technical, artistic and other Creative Arts awards, the Saturday FXX/Hulu program is the one to watch.
Is There an Official Online Companion Feed?
Yes. The Television Academy is offering Backstage LIVE! on Emmys.com and the Television Academy's official YouTube channel beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT on Monday, September 14. The Academy describes it as a second-screen experience with backstage cameras, the Thank You Cam, the Emmy Photo Lounge, interviews and clips from the red carpet, show and press room.
It is a companion experience, not a substitute for the full NBC/Peacock ceremony. Use it if you like behind-the-scenes coverage while watching the main telecast, or if you are more interested in winner reactions and backstage moments than the complete broadcast.
Where Can You Watch Outside the United States?
The 2026 Emmy Awards have different rights holders by territory. The Television Academy has published an international list on its viewing page, so viewers outside the U.S. should use that rather than assuming Peacock or NBC access carries over internationally.
Territory
Official 2026 outlet
Listed live time
Canada
CTV and Crave
Monday, Sept. 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
United Kingdom
LG 1 on LG Channels
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 1:00 a.m. BST; red carpet at midnight
Australia
Showcase
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10:00 a.m. AEST
France
Canal+
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2:00 a.m. CEST; red carpet at 1:00 a.m.
Spain and Andorra
Movistar Plus+
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2:00 a.m. CET; pre-show at 1:00 a.m.
Middle East
MBC1 and Shahid
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4:00 a.m. KSA
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore
HITS NOW
Tuesday morning local time, with pre-show before the ceremony
The international list is longer than this quick-reference table and includes additional European, African and Asian territories. Because rights can differ even between neighboring countries, check the international section on the Television Academy's official watch page for the exact service in your location.
Who Is Hosting, and What Should Viewers Expect?
Mariska Hargitay is hosting the 78th Emmy Awards. The Television Academy and NBC have also announced a group of presenters that includes Zendaya, Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, Sally Field, Jon Hamm, Florence Pugh, Amy Poehler, Keke Palmer, Dan Levy, Niecy Nash-Betts and others, with additional presenters subject to change.
The September 10 announcement also confirmed an In Memoriam performance by Noah Kahan and anniversary segments marking 30 years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 50 years of Charlie's Angels. Those are programming details rather than viewing requirements, but they are useful if you are deciding whether to watch the broadcast live rather than only checking winners afterward. The latest program announcements are available from the Television Academy's September 10 ceremony update.
Five-Minute Viewing Checklist
Confirm the date: Monday, September 14, not the Creative Arts broadcast on Saturday.
Confirm the time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT for the main ceremony.
Choose the feed: NBC if you already receive it; Peacock if you want the official direct stream.
Test the device: sign in to Peacock or open your NBC source before showtime, especially on a smart TV you have not used recently.
For international viewing: verify the local rights holder on the Academy's current country list instead of relying on a U.S. recommendation.
If you cannot watch live: use Peacock's on-demand availability after the broadcast.
Bottom Line
The 2026 Emmy viewing plan is unusually simple once you separate the main ceremony from the Creative Arts broadcast. Watch the 78th Emmy Awards live Monday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT on NBC or Peacock. If you already receive NBC, that is the most economical route. If you are streaming without a TV package, Peacock is the official direct option, with Premium and Premium Plus both shown on the event page. Outside the U.S., use the Television Academy's published international partner list because the broadcaster changes by country.
One final check on Monday afternoon is worthwhile. Live-event details, presenters and local availability can change, and the Television Academy's watch page is the authoritative place to confirm any last-minute update.