The 2023 Emmys ceremony has officially been postponed amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. On Aug. 10, Fox and the Television Academy announced in a press release that the awards show will now take place on Jan. 15, 2024, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This marks the first time the Emmys have been postponed since 2001, when the show was pushed to November in the wake of 9/11.
Variety previously reported that the Television Academy was hopeful the Emmys could air in November, but as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue, the future of the entertainment industry remains uncertain. Despite the rescheduled date, it’s still unclear if both strikes will be over by the new year.
The Emmys were originally scheduled to air on Sept. 18. As writers and actors continued to strike for fair pay and protections against AI, it became clear the planned date would no longer be feasible. Prior to the Television Academy and Fox’s official announcement, Variety noted that vendors were reportedly told the show would not take place on its original September date. Additionally, the Creative Arts Emmys, which was set to take place on Sept. 9 and 10, has moved to Jan. 6 and 7, 2024, and will air a week later.
Despite the Emmys being moved, voting will still go on as planned. The final voting period runs from Aug. 17 to Aug. 28. In a typical year, this period would be marked by campaign pushes, but with actors and writers prohibited from participating in interviews for the duration of the strikes, the campaign season is set to be a more subdued affair. It’s unclear how (or if) this will impact the eventual winners.
Emmy nominees were announced on July 12, just 48 hours before SAG-AFTRA members joined writers on the picket line. HBO nabbed the most nominations thanks to critically acclaimed series like “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Last of Us.” On the comedy side, Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso,” ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” and FX on Hulu’s “The Bear” are among the buzzy shows vying for the top prize.