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Television Academy and Prime Video Announce Historic Six-Year Deal to Stream Emmy Awards Globally: The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a landmark six-year agreement that will make Prime Video the exclusive global streaming home of the Emmy Awards, marking a significant shift in how one of television’s most prestigious honors reaches audiences worldwide.
Beginning with the 2027 ceremony, the Emmy Awards will stream live on Prime Video in September, with viewing available free of charge to audiences around the world. The arrangement will not require a Prime Video subscription, opening the door for viewers across more than 240 countries and territories to participate in the annual celebration of television excellence.
The agreement represents a major change in the Emmys’ distribution strategy, ending the traditional rotating arrangement among major US broadcast networks ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Known as the “Wheel Deal,” the arrangement concluded with the 2026 telecast, paving the way for a dedicated, long-term streaming partnership.
A New Global Era for the Emmy Awards
Since their inception in 1949, the Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievements in television, honoring the actors, writers, directors, producers and creative professionals whose work shapes the entertainment industry.
The partnership with Prime Video aims to expand the awards’ international reach while adapting the ceremony to changing viewing habits. As streaming platforms continue to reshape how audiences discover and consume entertainment, the agreement positions the Emmys for a broader global presence.
Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, said the partnership would allow the awards to build on their legacy while reaching audiences on an unprecedented scale.
“Television has never been more global, and the Emmys should be a celebration that the world can share,” Abrego said.
He emphasized that Prime Video’s international reach would enable audiences in more than 200 countries to watch the ceremony live without a subscription. He also acknowledged the contributions of the traditional broadcast partners that helped establish the Emmys as a major cultural institution.
According to Abrego, the dedicated partnership will support the Television Academy’s broader mission throughout the year, extending beyond the annual awards ceremony.
Prime Video to Expand the Emmys Beyond One Night
For Prime Video, the agreement represents an opportunity to bring one of television’s most recognizable events to its worldwide audience while developing new ways for fans to engage with the industry.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said the company was honored to become the global home of the awards for the next six years.
“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.
He added that making the ceremony available free on Prime Video reflects the company’s approach to delivering entertainment to audiences worldwide.
The agreement also envisions transforming the Emmys into a year-round cultural celebration. Prime Video plans to use its platforms, offerings and services to create new opportunities for audiences to discover television content, connect with the creative community and celebrate their favorite shows and performers.
While the September ceremony will remain the central event, the broader partnership is intended to strengthen engagement with television fans throughout the year.
What the Deal Means for the Entertainment Industry
The move highlights the growing role of global streaming platforms in distributing major entertainment events. For decades, the Emmy Awards relied on traditional US broadcast television, with the hosting network changing periodically under the rotating agreement.
The new arrangement establishes a single, long-term distribution partner and expands access beyond the US broadcast market. Its free-to-view model could help introduce the ceremony to audiences who may not previously have watched the awards because of geographic or subscription barriers.
For international viewers, including audiences in India, the agreement could provide a more direct opportunity to follow the annual celebration of American and international television talent, subject to the announced streaming availability in their markets.
The deal also reflects a broader transformation in the entertainment business, where awards ceremonies, live events and premium programming increasingly compete for audiences across digital platforms.
By combining the Emmy Awards’ established reputation with Prime Video’s global distribution infrastructure, the Television Academy is seeking to preserve the event’s cultural significance while adapting it to a rapidly evolving media environment.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 Ceremony
The first Emmy Awards ceremony under the new agreement is scheduled to take place in September 2027. The six-year partnership will give Prime Video and the Television Academy an extended period to develop new viewing experiences and expand the awards’ international presence.
With free global streaming at the center of the arrangement, the partnership signals a new chapter for television’s highest-profile awards celebration.
The transition from rotating broadcast networks to a dedicated global streaming partner is more than a change in distribution. It represents a strategic effort to make the Emmys more accessible, more internationally connected and more closely aligned with the ways audiences watch television today.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the success of this partnership will be measured not only by the reach of the annual ceremony but also by its ability to engage new generations of television fans around the world.
