How to watch the 2024 Emmy Awards without cable — and without paying

It’s easy to get jaded in the streaming era. There are so many apps, and prestige TV peaked years ago. Still, some shows this past year really wowed us. As Mashable’s Belen Edwards summarized, “We were floored by the historical epic Shōgun, rejoiced in the return of shows like We Are Lady Parts and Interview with the Vampire, and couldn’t get enough of Fallout.”

It appears the Television Academy agreed re: Shōgun, given that it received the most Emmy nominations of any show this year. Other shows we loved, like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Baby Reindeer, also received high praise from the Academy. So, which series will take home the biggest awards at the 2024 Emmys? You’ll have to watch to find out — here’s how you can watch the Emmys live with or without cable.

When are the 2024 Emmys?

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 and will air live at 8 p.m. ET. This year’s awards will be headlined by the father-and-son hosting duo Eugene and Dan Levy. For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC station, watch online via ABC.com, or log into the ABC app with your pay TV service provider.

No cable access? No worries; we’ve rounded up the best ways to watch the Emmys without cable below. The show is also set to stream the next day on Hulu, if you don’t mind missing out on the live shenanigans (and can avoid spoilers).

Who are this year’s Emmy nominees?

FX shows are dominating this year’s Emmy nominations, with Shōgun picking up 25 nominations and The Bear picking up 23. Note that since the Emmy eligibility period runs from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024, these nominations are for The Bear‘s second season, not the recently released (and slightly underwhelming) third season. Other major contenders include Fallout, Only Murders in the Building, Baby Reindeer, True Detective: Night Country, Hacks, Ripley, and The Crown. See a full list of the 2024 Emmy nominations at the Television Academy website.

How to watch the Emmy awards live without cable

If you’ve cut the cord on cable and committed to streaming, then you know how oversaturated the market is today. There are simply too many different services. Networks like NBC and CBS have their own streaming apps, but ABC doesn’t. So what can cord cutters do?

Live TV streaming services are cable alternatives, giving you live access to a well-rounded channel selection via your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). Unlike cable, these services are contract-free, so you can cancel whenever you wish. And as a bonus, many of them offer free trials — that means you could very well watch the Emmys live for free, then cancel before you’re charged. But we’ll leave that up to you.

You can also use a digital TV antenna, a one-time purchase that will unlock all the local networks — ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC — within range.

Below, we’ve rounded up your best options (and streaming deals) for watching the Emmys without cable.

Best way to watch the Emmys for free: YouTube TV

YouTube TV includes over 100 live channels in its base plan, including your local ABC network. You’ll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six individual accounts with personalized recommendations. Our reviewers believe it’s “the best premium live TV streaming service,” especially with the current introductory offer.

For a limited time, you can get your first 10 days of streaming for free, then pay just $64.99 per month for your first four months — that’s $32 in savings. If you sign up for your free trial around the time of the Emmys, you can definitely watch the broadcast live for free. Just be sure to cancel before your 10 days are up.

Best for bundling: Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV is pretty similar to YouTube TV, with access to over 95 live TV channels (including your local ABC network), personalized profiles, and unlimited DVR. However, it’s a bit pricier at $76.99 per month. But we still recommend it for two reasons. First, you get three days for free to test the waters, and second, your subscription comes bundled with Hulu with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads (a $14.99 per month value). That’s three premium streaming libraries on top of nearly 100 live channels all for just $76.99 per month.

Stream the Emmys for free during your three-day trial, then decide whether you want to stick it out for a whole month or cancel before you’re charged.

Most affordable overall: Sling TV (only for select areas)

While we love Sling TV for its a la carte setup and affordable pricing, we’re hesitant to call it our favorite since some markets cannot access local networks. In order to watch the Emmys live, you’ll need access to ABC, which is included in Sling’s Blue base package. However, live local streaming of ABC (as well as NBC and FOX) is only available to Sling customers in or around specific cities.

Check to see if your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger — Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included. Typically, Sling’s base package costs $40 per month, but with the current introductory offer, you’ll pay just $20 for your first month.

Best for streaming later: Hulu with ads

If you’re able to avoid spoilers and don’t mind waiting a day to watch the ceremony, a regular Hulu with ads subscription will give you access to the Emmys on Sept. 16, the day after the live show. It’s definitely the cheapest option: you can sign up for free for 30 days, then it’ll cost you just $7.99 per month. You won’t get the excitement of watching live, but if you don’t mind that, this is a solid bet.

Honorable mention: FuboTV

Another live TV streaming service option is Fubo. Though it’s more geared toward sports fans, with over 200 live channels, it does include access to your local ABC network. You can test it out for seven days, then get $30 off your first month, knocking it down to just $49.99. After that, you’ll have to pay $79.99 per month for the Pro plan, making it one of the more expensive options on the list.

Another option for watching live: Get a digital antenna

If you live close enough to your local TV station broadcast towers, you can access broadcasts live and for free with a digital antenna. These aren’t the antennas of yesteryear; these indoor option can simply stick to your wall and hide behind your TV. There are a ton of options on the market ranging in price and style. Just be sure to check the distance and range before making a purchase.

The closer you are, the clearer your local broadcasts will come through. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable’s publisher, Ziff Davis) have a few recommendations, including the Mohu Leaf 50. It’s reversible to match your decor, multidirectional, and includes a USB-powered amplifier to add 15dB of signal strength, giving it a range of over 60 miles.