The Television Academy has voted to cut the number of categories broadcast during the live Primetime Emmy Awards, shifting five of them to the earlier Creative Arts Emmys instead. Viewers watching the main NBC ceremony on 14 September 2026 will see noticeably fewer awards handed out on screen, a decision likely to anger industry guilds representing writers, directors and actors.

The categories being moved to the Creative Arts Emmys, held on 5-6 September, are Writing for a Variety Series, Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Directing for a Limited Series or Movie, and Writing for a Limited Series or Movie. Nominees affected include shows such as DTF St. Louis, Beef, All Her Fault and Black Rabbit, alongside stars including Dakota Fanning, Jason Bateman and Nick Offerman. The Academy said the change reflects the "extraordinary breadth" of nominated work versus the limited time in a three-hour broadcast, framing it as an effort to keep the telecast "engaging" for audiences, though it is expected to draw criticism from the WGA, DGA and SAG-AFTRA.