Here’s When the 2026 Primetime Emmys in Music and Variety Categories Will Be Presented

The Television Academy announced on Friday (July 17) the 19 categories to be presented during the 78th annual Emmy Awards telecast on Monday Sept. 14 and the 102 categories – you read that right – to be presented the previous weekend.

The Academy is moving five awards from the main telecast to the pre-telecast awards – 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.

The seven music categories have long been awarded at the pre-telecast awards, as have two high-profile variety categories – outstanding variety special (live) and outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) – that rightfully should be presented on the telecast.

This year, the nominees for outstanding variety special (live) are The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny (NBC), 83rd Annual Golden Globes (CBS), 68th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS), The Oscars (ABC) and 78th Annual Tony Awards (CBS).

The nominees for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) are Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable… (Netflix), The Muppet Show (Disney+), Nikki Glaser: Good Girl (Hulu), Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (Disney+) and Wicked: One Wonderful Night (NBC).

The 78th Emmy Awards telecast, hosted by Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay, will air live coast-to-coast on NBC on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live. It will also stream on Peacock. The pre-telecast ceremonies will take place on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.

Here’s a complete list of categories that will be presented on each of the three nights. Music and key variety categories are bolded.