2026 Emmys Shake Up: Craft Category Nominations Get Separate July Announcement Date

The Television Academy has announced a significant scheduling change for the 2026 Emmy Awards. Nominations in 13 specific craft categories will be revealed a full week after the main nominee list. The split announcement is a new procedural shift for the prestigious awards.

According to industry reports, the change affects categories judged by peer-group screening panels. The main 2026 Emmy nominations will still be announced on Wednesday, July 8. The delayed craft category reveals are set for Wednesday, July 15.

Behind the Split: Understanding the Peer Panel Process

The voting process for these categories is not new. Peer groups vote on all submissions first. The top vote-getters are then sent to specialized screening panels for final nomination decisions.

What is new is the separate announcement date. This creates a two-phase reveal for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. The aim is to highlight the specialized work in these technical and creative fields.

The affected categories include cinematography for series and limited series. They also cover lighting design, music composition, and sound editing. Technical direction and camerawork awards are also on the delayed list.

Full 2026 Emmy Calendar and Broadcast Details Confirmed

The Academy also confirmed the full voting timeline. Nomination-round voting runs from June 11 to June 22. The crucial peer-group panel voting is scheduled for June 26 through July 7.

Final-round voting for winners opens on August 17. It closes on August 26. The eligibility window for shows runs from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

The 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on Monday, September 14. The broadcast is on NBC and Peacock. The Creative Arts Emmys, where most trophies are awarded, will be held the prior weekend.

This revised schedule for the 2026 Emmys nominations underscores the evolving nature of awards logistics. The separate focus on craft categories aims to give specialized achievements their own moment in the spotlight before the main event.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Which Emmy categories have the delayed nomination announcement?

Thirteen craft categories are affected. These include cinematography, lighting design, music composition, sound editing, and technical direction awards. They rely on peer-group screening panels for final nominee selection.

Q2: When are the main 2026 Emmy nominations being announced?

The bulk of the nominations will be revealed on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. This follows the standard nomination-round voting period from June 11 to 22.

Q3: What is the eligibility period for the 2026 Emmys?

Programs must air between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. This is the standard eligibility window for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards cycle.

Q4: When will the 2026 Emmy Awards ceremony take place?

The ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026. It will broadcast live on NBC and stream on Peacock starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Q5: Why were these specific categories split off?

These categories use a unique two-step voting process involving peer panels. The Academy decided to give their nominations a separate announcement to highlight the specialized judging process.

Q6: When are the Creative Arts Emmys in 2026?

The Creative Arts ceremonies are set for Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6. These events honor the majority of Emmy awards presented each year.