Amazon Prime Video to Host Emmy Awards Starting in 2027
Amazon’s Prime Video (AMZN) has secured a six-year deal to broadcast the Emmy Awards starting in 2027. The agreement with the Television Academy marks a shift for the prestigious awards show, which has previously rotated among broadcast networks like ABC (DIS), CBS (PSKY), Fox (FOX), and NBC (CMCSA). The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but the Emmy rights have historically been valued at around $9.5 million annually, according to the Television Academy’s latest report.
Prime Video plans to make the ceremony accessible globally and outside its paywall, allowing non-subscribers to watch for free. This move aligns with a broader trend of major entertainment awards migrating to streaming platforms. For instance, the Oscars are set to move to YouTube (GOOG) in 2029, and Netflix (NFLX) has been airing the Screen Actors Guild Awards since 2024.
Viewership for the Emmy Awards has seen fluctuations, with the latest ceremony averaging 6.7 million viewers, down 10% from the previous year’s broadcast on CBS (PSKY), according to Nielsen data. While broadcast networks considered extending the existing arrangement at a lower fee, Prime Video sees an opportunity to attract a younger audience and “reimagine” the event, as stated by Prime Video head Mike Hopkins.