2026 Emmys set Sept. 14; Hargitay host

Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards when the ceremony airs live on Monday, Sept. 14, according to the Television Academy and NBCUniversal. The show is set for 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, with NBC carrying the broadcast and Peacock streaming it. (televisionacademy.com) GoldDerby’s Emmy schedule page published the same date, time and host details this week. The booking puts one of NBC’s longest-running franchise stars at the center of the network’s top fall awards telecast. Hargitay, who stars in and executive produces “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” said in the Television Academy announcement that “bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career.” NBCUniversal said the telecast is part of NBC’s 100th birthday celebrations this fall. (televisionacademy.com) ### When exactly is the 2026 Emmy telecast? Monday, Sept. 14 is the date set for the 78th Emmy Awards, with the ceremony beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific. The Television Academy and NBCUniversal both said the show will air live coast-to-coast. (televisionacademy.com) GoldDerby’s 2026 Emmy ceremony details page lists the same schedule and identifies Hargitay as host, with presenters and performers still listed as to be announced. ### Where will the show take place, and how can viewers watch? The Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles will host the ceremony, according to the Television Academy and NBCUniversal. (televisionacademy.com) NBC will broadcast the show in the United States, and Peacock will stream it. Billboard’s Emmy schedule report also said the Sept. 14 telecast will originate from the Peacock Theater and run on NBC and Peacock. (televisionacademy.com) ### Why was Mariska Hargitay chosen to host? Mariska Hargitay was described by the Television Academy as an Emmy Award-winning actor, director and producer, and by NBCUniversal as a television icon. (goldderby.com) In the announcement, Hargitay said it was her “great honor” to host the ceremony during NBC’s centennial year and celebrate “this extraordinary community of storytellers.” For 27 seasons, Hargitay has played Capt. (televisionacademy.com) Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” NBCUniversal said, calling the series the longest-running primetime live-action drama in television history. The company said the role has brought her an Emmy Award, eight additional Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe. (billboard.com) ### Was this announcement new on Aug. 6? July 7 was the date of the official host announcement from the Television Academy and NBCUniversal. GoldDerby’s page, which was visible this week, republished the key practical details — Sept. 14, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and Hargitay as host — in its Emmy schedule listing. (televisionacademy.com) That means the date and host were already official before Aug. 6, even though entertainment outlets and schedule pages continued circulating the information in early August. (nbcuniversal.com) ### What is still not announced? GoldDerby’s schedule page lists presenters and performers as “TBA.” The official Television Academy and NBCUniversal announcements reviewed here focus on the date, venue, broadcaster and host, but do not name presenters or performers. Sept. 14 is now the next fixed date on the Emmy calendar for the main primetime telecast, with NBC and Peacock set to carry Hargitay’s hosting debut live from Los Angeles. (televisionacademy.com) (goldderby.com)