How to Watch the 78th Emmy Awards Live – Free Streaming Options & Nominee Highlights

Tonight, September 14, 2026, Hollywood’s biggest night rolls out on NBC at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). Mariska Hargitay – you might know her as Olivia Benson from “Law & Order: SVU” – is taking the mic as host, so you can expect a mix of heartfelt tributes and a few surprise moments.

If you’re wondering how to watch without breaking the bank, there are a handful of streaming services that will let you tune in for free – at least for a limited time. DirecTV Stream offers a five‑day free trial (and a $30 discount on the first month), while FuboTV gives you a seven‑day trial with a $25 kick‑off discount. Both are perfect if you haven’t subscribed before and only need the Emmy night.

Sling TV is another budget‑friendly route: you can snag a day‑pass for $4.99, which is cheap enough for a single‑night event. Peacock, NBC’s own platform, streams the ceremony live without a trial, but its basic plan starts at $8.99 a month – a decent deal if you also want access to Bravo, NBC originals, and a growing library of movies.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the costs:

• DirecTV Stream: $59.99/month (first month $30 off) – 5‑day free trial
• FuboTV: $63.99/month (first month $25 off) – 7‑day free trial
• Sling TV: Plans $19.99‑$64.99 – day pass $4.99 (no trial)
• Peacock: $8.99/month (no trial)

The ceremony’s roster of presenters reads like a who’s‑who of TV royalty. Expect to see Odessa A’zion, David Boreanaz, Linda Cardellini, Macaulay Culkin, Alan Cumming, Sally Field, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jon Hamm, David Harbour, Kate Jackson, Peter Krause, Cheryl Ladd, Dan Levy, Julianna Margulies, Annie Murphy, Niecy Nash‑Betts, Keke Palmer, Amanda Peet, Amy Poehler, Florence Pugh, Rachel Sennott, Jaclyn Smith and Zendaya taking the stage.

As for the nominees, HBO’s “The Pitt” leads with an impressive 25 nods, followed closely by the comedy “Hacks” with 24 – a record‑breaking haul for a sitcom. Newcomers “Widow’s Bay” (19) and “Pluribus” (18) round out the front‑runners, while “Beef” (16) and “DTF St. Louis” (13) also make strong showings.

Below are a few highlights from the major categories (winners will be announced tonight):

Lead Actress – Limited/Anthology: Claire Danes (The Beast in Me), Sally Field (Remarkably Bright Creatures), Carey Mulligan (Beef), Sarah Pidgeon (Love Story), Sarah Snook (All Her Fault).

Lead Actor – Limited/Anthology: Riz Ahmed (Bait), Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Oscar Isaac (Beef), Matthew Rhys (The Beast in Me).

Comedy winners include Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) for Lead Actress and Yahya Abdul‑Mateen II (Wonder Man) for Lead Actor. Drama categories feature Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age) and Sterling K. Brown (Paradise) among the nominees.

All in all, whether you’re a die‑hard TV fan or just in it for the glitz, tonight’s Emmy Awards promise memorable speeches, surprise performances, and a chance to see which shows will dominate the next season. Grab your popcorn, log into your chosen streaming platform, and enjoy the show!