The 2026 Emmy Awards are almost here, and the red carpet is about to roll out. Mariska Hargitay hosts the show this year, and it airs live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. That means the cameras will be rolling before the ceremony even starts, and fans who want to see who wins the “Outstanding Use of Hand Sanitizer” award will need to know where to tune in.
The Emmys red carpet coverage runs across multiple streams, each with its own schedule and price tag. E!, CNN, People, Entertainment Weekly, and NBC all have their own shows, and some of them require a subscription while others are free to watch. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet, including start times, free live stream options, and how to watch without a cable login.
Mariska Hargitay Hosts the Show
Mariska Hargitay is hosting the 2026 Emmy Awards. She stars in Law & Order: SVU, and she takes over the hosting duties for this year’s ceremony. The show airs live coast-to-coast from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony itself starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday, September 14. It airs on NBC and streams live on Peacock. The red carpet coverage begins earlier, with E! and CNN starting their shows at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The Nominees Lead the Field
Several of Team Decider‘s favorite shows are up for Emmy gold this year. The Pitt leads the field with 25 nominations, including the competitive “Outstanding Use of Hand Sanitizer” award. That joke is clearly not serious, but it is the kind of light-hearted humor that makes the Emmys fun to watch.
Fellow HBO standout Hacks earned 24 nominations. Two Apple TV darlings, Widow’s Bay and Pluribus, garnered 19 and 18 noms, respectively. You can find a full list of the nominees on Decider.
E!’s Live From The Emmys
E! is one of the main sources for red carpet coverage. Its Countdown to the 2026 Emmys starts at 5:00 p.m. ET, followed by Live From The Emmys at 6:00 p.m. ET. E! is available to stream on Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV, or Sling TV’s Blue plan.
The E! show is one of the more popular options for fans who want to see the stars arrive at the theater. It features interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and the usual celebrity chatter that defines the genre. The show is also available for next-day streaming on Peacock, so viewers who miss the live broadcast can catch up later.
NBC’s Pre-Show TikTok Live
NBC has its own red carpet show this year. The Pre-Show TikTok Live From the Red Carpet is hosted by Trisha Paytas and Nicky Campbell, and it airs from 6:45-8:00 p.m. ET on NBC’s TikTok page.
The show uses TikTok as its platform rather than a conventional broadcast channel, which is a notable difference from past years. It gives viewers a chance to see the nominees in a different setting.
People and Entertainment Weekly
People and Entertainment Weekly are also covering the red carpet. Their live coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. ET on People and EW’s social platforms.
CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live
CNN and Variety are teaming up for their own red carpet show. CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live: TV’s Biggest Night is hosted by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Ramin Setoodeh, and it features Melissa Rivers. The show begins at 5:00 p.m. ET on CNN.com/Watch and the CNN app for subscribers.
The show is a subscriber-only option, meaning viewers need to have a CNN subscription to watch. The app and the web are both available, so viewers can choose whichever platform they prefer.
How To Watch Without Cable
Not everyone has a cable login, and that is fine. The 2026 Emmy Awards live online and on TV can be watched without cable using a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV is the preferred option, and it comes with a five-day free trial before payment begins.
DIRECTV offers a number of flexible subscription options, including Genre Packs. These allow viewers to choose which streaming plans fit their needs and budget. Packs start at $19.99/month. The service is a reliable way to watch the ceremony without a traditional cable package.
Other services are also available. fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer active subscriptions that let viewers watch NBC live. YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV offer free trials for new subscribers, so viewers can test the service before committing.
Peacock Offers Two Subscription Types
Peacock is streaming the 2026 Emmy Awards live. The show is available on the platform, and viewers can choose between two subscription types. Peacock Premium with ads costs $12.99/month, while Premium Plus ad-free costs $19.99/month.
There are also annual plans available. Peacock offers 12 months for the price of 10, with either $129.99 with ads or $199.99 without ads. The premium plus plan is also available via Prime Video with a seven-day free trial that you cannot get by subscribing directly on Peacock.
| Platform | Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peacock Premium | Ads included | $12.99 | $129.99 |
| Peacock Premium Plus | Ad-free | $19.99 | $199.99 |
| DIRECTV Genre Packs | Flexible options | $19.99/month | Not specified |
Free Trials and Subscriptions
There are several free trial options available for viewers who want to watch the Emmys without committing to a long-term subscription. DIRECTV comes with a five-day free trial, and YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV all offer free trials for new subscribers.
Peacock also has a free trial through Prime Video, and there is a free subscription to Peacock through Instacart+. Both offer a free trial, giving viewers a chance to test the service before paying.
The Full Schedule at a Glance
Here is a quick look at the red carpet coverage schedule:
- E! Countdown to the 2026 Emmys: 5:00 p.m. ET
- E! Live From The Emmys: 6:00 p.m. ET
- NBC’s Pre-Show TikTok Live From the Red Carpet: 6:45-8:00 p.m. ET
- People and Entertainment Weekly live coverage: 6:00 p.m. ET
- CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live: 5:00 p.m. ET on CNN.com/Watch and the CNN app for subscribers
The ceremony itself starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Each stream has its own fixed start and end times, so viewers can plan their watchlist around their schedule.
The key takeaway is that there is no single way to watch the 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet. Viewers can choose the platform that fits their interests and their budget. Whether you want to watch E!, CNN, People, or NBC, the coverage is available somewhere.
The ceremony itself is the main event, but the red carpet is a chance to see the stars before they take the stage. The free trial options are generous, and they make it easy to watch without a long-term commitment. The annual plans are a good deal for viewers who want to subscribe for a year, and the Genre Packs offer flexibility for those who want to pick and choose their channels.
For anyone who wants to watch the 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet, the advice is simple: check the schedule, pick your platform, and settle in. The stars will be arriving soon, and the coverage will be live.
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