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Emmys Shift to Monday Night for NFL Conflict Avoidance
Confirmed
In Short: The 78th Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, will air on Monday, September 14, 2026, to avoid a scheduling conflict with NFL Sunday Night Football.
The Television Academy has expanded the Creative Arts Emmys into a two-night ceremony, highlighting various categories and craftspeople. This year, the main ceremony is moving to Monday night, a departure from the traditional Sunday night slot.
The shift to Monday is due to the 'wheel deal' between NBC and Peacock, which holds the rights to air the ceremony, and their hosting of NFL Sunday Night Football. Both networks needed to ensure they could air both events.
The Emmys will air live on NBC and Peacock starting at 8 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026, with the contract set to expire after next year's ceremony, prompting discussions on future hosting arrangements.
What's confirmed
- The Television Academy has expanded the Creative Arts Emmys into a two-night ceremony, highlighting various categories and craftspeople. This year, the main ceremony is moving to Monday night, a departure from the traditional Sunday night slot.
- The shift to Monday is due to the 'wheel deal' between NBC and Peacock, which holds the rights to air the ceremony, and their hosting of NFL Sunday Night Football. Both networks needed to ensure they could air both events.
- The Emmys will air live on NBC and Peacock starting at 8 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026, with the contract set to expire after next year's ceremony, prompting discussions on future hosting arrangements.
What's still developing
- The Television Academy already kicked things off earlier this month: what was once the Creative Arts Emmys was expanded and rebranded into a two-night ceremony highlighting casting, guest actors, game shows, documentaries, behind-the-scenes craftspeople and more.
- The 78th Emmy Awards air Monday night, hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay.
- Hargitay, Monday night's host, won two awards for her documentary My Mom Jayne.
- Monday's ceremony will include 19 awards, including those for top comedy series, top drama series and best actor and actress in each.
- The 2026 Emmys is breaking tradition this year by is giving out statues on a Monday instead of a Sunday.
- While entertainment award shows are traditionally held on Sunday nights, the 2026 Emmys ceremony is jumping ahead 24 hours to Monday, Sept. 14.
- The 2026 Emmys is being punted to a different day this year.
- But why is TV’s big night taking place on a different day than usual?