Emmys postponed until January over Hollywood strikes

LOS ANGELES: The Emmy Awards have been postponed by almost four months, organisers said on Thursday, as crippling strikes by Hollywood’s actors and writers drag on with no resolution in sight.

Television’s equivalent of the Oscars had been due to take place this September, but will now be held in mid-January next year, broadcaster Fox and the Television Academy wrote in a statement.

“We are pleased to announce that the 75th Emmy Awards will now air on Monday, January 15, 2024,” said a Fox spokesman.

The Emmys are the most significant entertainment event so far to be delayed by Hollywood’s first industry-wide walkout by both actors and writers in more than 60 years.

The last time the Emmys were delayed was in 2001, when the ceremony was postponed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Due to the ongoing actors’ strike, A-list stars and nominees would not currently be allowed to attend the Emmys — a development that would be disastrous for television ratings.

Writers would also not be allowed to script a monologue or jokes for the telecast’s host and presenters.

The lengthy delay is intended to allow both sides time to resolve their differences, although the various parties have barely spoken through any formal channels since the writers’ strike began 100 days ago.