The 78th Emmy Awards are almost here, bringing television’s biggest stars, breakout series and returning favorites together for one of the biggest nights of the year. The 2026 Emmy Awards take place Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC. This year’s ceremony is shaping up to be an exciting one, especially as NBC celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Here’s everything to know before the Emmys, including when and where to watch, this year’s top nominees and some of the shows worth catching up on before the awards are handed out.
Get ready for the Emmys with DIRECTV. Watch many of this year’s Emmy-nominated shows and catch up on the series everyone will be talking about before the awards are handed out.
What Are the Emmy Awards?
Emmys are awarded each year to the top TV shows and television actors for their outstanding performances on the screen. While there are two different Emmy Awards ceremonies, we’ll focus on the better known of the two, the Primetime Emmy Awards, in this article.
For the 2026 competition, television programs had to be released between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026 to be eligible. Nominations were announced July 8, and the final round of voting took place in August. Only National Active members of the Television Academy were eligible to vote in the 78th Emmy Awards.
How to Watch the 2026 Emmy Awards
The 2026 Emmy Awards will take place Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The ceremony will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and stream live on Peacock from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.
Check your local channel listings here to find your local NBC channel.
Who is Hosting the 2026 Emmy Awards?
Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards. The Emmy-winning actor, director and producer is best known for her long-running role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The 2026 ceremony will be Hargitay’s first time hosting the Emmys.
With NBC celebrating its 100th birthday in 2026, Hargitay’s hosting role is part of the network’s larger centennial celebration.
Who are the Top Nominees for the 2026 Emmy Awards?
The 2026 Emmy race includes returning favorites, new series and a few record-setting performances. Here are the top 5 nominated series:
‘The Pitt’
HBO Max’s The Pitt leads the 2026 Emmy nominations with 25, including Outstanding Drama Series and multiple acting nominations. Noah Wyle is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while Katherine LaNasa, Shawn Hatosy and several members of the ensemble also received recognition.
‘Hacks’
The fifth and final season of Hacks earned 24 nominations, setting a new record for the most Emmy nominations for a comedy series in a single year. The series is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, with Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder and other cast members also recognized.
‘Widow’s Bay’
Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay is one of the year’s biggest new Emmy contenders, earning 19 nominations. The series is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, while Matthew Rhys, Dale Dickey, Kate O’Flynn and Hamish Linklater are among its acting nominees.
‘Pluribus’
Apple TV’s Pluribus picked up 18 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and a nomination for Rhea Seehorn for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The series is also represented across several supporting and technical categories.
‘BEEF’
The second season of BEEF earned 16 nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton and Youn Yuh-jung are among the performers recognized for the series.
Want to see every nominee across all categories? Check out our 2026 Primetime Emmy Nominations: Complete Nominees List.
Watch Emmy-Nominated Shows on DIRECTV
Many of this year’s Emmy-nominated shows are available through DIRECTV, so you have plenty to catch up with before the ceremony. From acclaimed dramas and comedies to limited series and other award contenders, there’s no shortage of Emmy-worthy television to explore.
Check out 20 Emmy-Nominated Shows to Watch on DIRECTV Before the 2026 Emmy Awards for a closer look at some of the nominated series you can watch before the big night.
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Frequently asked questions
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