Television’s biggest night is here. The 78th Emmy Awards take place tonight, Monday, September 14, live from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, with Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay taking on hosting duties.
The ceremony airs live coast to coast on NBC at 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET and simultaneously streams on Peacock.
For viewers hoping to watch without adding another streaming subscription, there are a few options. NBC remains available free over the air with a digital antenna in markets where viewers can receive their local NBC station. Peacock requires a paid subscription, but live television streaming services including DIRECTV, Fubo and others may offer free trials to eligible new customers. Trial availability and terms vary, so viewers should check before signing up.
There is also plenty to watch online for free before the ceremony.
Red carpet coverage begins several hours before the awards.
E! Countdown to the Emmys airs from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT, followed by Live From E!: The Emmys from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.
Los Angeles viewers can tune into KTLA’s Live From The Emmys from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.
People and Entertainment Weekly will provide red carpet interviews and coverage throughout the day on their websites and social platforms.
NBC will also offer an official free TikTok red carpet livestream from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, featuring celebrity arrivals and interviews immediately before the ceremony begins.
The Television Academy will provide another free online option once the ceremony gets underway. Emmys Backstage LIVE! begins at 5:00 p.m. PT on Emmys.com and the Television Academy’s YouTube channel. The second screen experience includes the Thank You Cam, Backstage Cam, Emmy Photo Lounge, winner interviews and footage from the red carpet and press room. It is not a livestream of the NBC telecast, but it gives viewers a free look behind the scenes throughout the evening.
HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt enters the evening as the most nominated program of the year with 25 nominations. Hacks follows closely with 24, setting a nomination record for a comedy in its final season. Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay earned 19 nominations, followed by Pluribus with 18 and Netflix’s Beef with 16.
The battle for Outstanding Drama Series puts The Pitt among the night’s major favorites as it attempts to repeat its previous victory, while Pluribus has emerged as one of its strongest challengers. Noah Wyle is back in contention for his performance in The Pitt, while Rhea Seehorn is a major contender for Lead Actress in a Drama for Pluribus. Zendaya is also nominated for the final season of Euphoria.
On the comedy side, Hacks and Widow’s Bay are among the programs to watch. Jean Smart could make Emmy history with another Lead Actress in a Comedy win for Hacks. Meanwhile, Widow’s Bay already picked up eight awards during the Creative Arts Emmys, giving the Apple TV series considerable momentum heading into tonight’s ceremony.
Another potential milestone belongs to Harrison Ford, nominated for his performance in Shrinking. At 84, the screen legend is seeking his first acting Emmy.
