Television stars gathered at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, 2026, for the 78th Emmy Awards. Hosted by Mariska Hargitay and broadcast live on NBC, the ceremony caps a year where The Pitt leads all nominees with 25 total nods.
Mariska Hargitay Hosts the 78th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles
Television’s biggest night arrived on Monday, September 14, 2026, bringing celebrities to the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles for the 78th Emmy Awards ceremony. Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay stepped into the role of host for the evening, marking a special milestone during a significant year for the broadcast network. Samantha Benitz and Grace Riley reported that television’s biggest stars stepped into the spotlight for the 2026 Emmys, bringing plenty of personality to the red carpet. Celebrities showed their sartorial flair while posing for the cameras at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, with bold fashion statements and timeless Hollywood looks on full display as stars hit the scene.
As a four-time Emmy winner, Mariska Hargitay took the helm of the ceremony while The Pitt leads with 25 nominations. Offering thoughts on the milestone, Hargitay shared a statement ahead of the event:
Mariska Hargitay stated that bringing important stories into the light had been the heartbeat of her career, expressing that it was her great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards during the 100th birthday year of her beloved NBC and celebrate that extraordinary community of storytellers.
She continued:
She added that whether someone was an actor, a director, a costumer, or a sound designer, they all shared the great privilege of taking part in creating television that unites them.
Ahead of the broadcast, Hargitay reflected on the collaborative nature of the television industry, emphasizing the contributions of everyone from actors and directors to costumers and sound designers. She stated that everyone is privileged to take part in creating television that unites audiences.
The Pitt and Hacks Lead 2026 Emmy Nominations
As the ceremony commenced, fierce competition defined the leading categories. The Pitt paces all contenders with 25 nominations, establishing a dominant presence across the field. Meanwhile, comedy series Hacks secured 24 nominations, setting a single-year record for a comedy series. Among new shows, Widow’s Bay pulled in 19 nods to lead all new shows.
Red Carpet Coverage Across Networks and Platforms
PT / 8 p.m. ET on NBC, viewers had multiple options to track red carpet fashion. E! launched its annual Live From E!: Countdown to the 2026 Emmys at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, or alternatively from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET depending on the network broadcast schedule. Additionally, CNN and Variety hosted digital red carpet coverage on their websites and apps starting at 5 p.m. ET, while NBC ran a Pre-Show TikTok Live From the Red Carpet on its official TikTok channel from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Streaming Options and Subscription Deals for Live Viewing
Audiences looking to view the event online could access NBC through various live TV streaming services. Platforms carrying the network include DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. Several providers offered trial periods or introductory pricing to capture viewers for the broadcast.
| Streaming Provider | Trial Period | Pricing and Package Details |
|---|---|---|
| DirecTV | 5-day free trial | Packages start from $19.99 per month |
| Fubo | 5-day free trial | $54.99 for the first month, $64.99 monthly thereafter |
| Sling | None reported | Select plan from $19.99 per month; Blue plan from $45.99; Orange & Blue from $60.99 |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3-day free trial | Packages start from $89.99 per month (includes Disney+ and ESPN+) |
Because the awards aired on NBC, fans could also stream the event live on Peacock. While Peacock does not provide a direct free trial—with plans beginning at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year—DirecTV customers could claim two complimentary months by selecting Signature packages and adding the Movies Extra Pack + Peacock Premium option. Prime Video subscribers also gained access to a seven-day trial period for the Premium Plus plan through its platform integration.
Tracking Winners as Results Emerge
The three-hour ceremony scheduled to run until 11 p.m. ET brought industry professionals together to honor the year’s finest television achievements. Outlets including The Hollywood Reporter established live updates to log winners as categories were announced from the Los Angeles stage.