How to Watch the Emmys in 2021: Catch All The Awards

The Emmy Awards are a highly anticipated event for TV fans the world over. If you are one of them, read on to find out how to watch the Emmys hassle-free from anywhere in the world.

Kit Copson
By Kit Copson (Writer)
— Last Updated: 2021-08-30T16:40:17+00:00 Facts checked by Elisabeth Ivey

It’s an exciting time for TV aficionados — the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards are approaching. If you’re lucky enough to be in the U.S. and have cable, it’s easy to catch the Emmys ceremony on CBS. For those who don’t have cable or are outside the U.S., don’t panic — there’s no need to miss out. We’re going to explain how to watch the Emmys, wherever you are. 

Key Takeaways:

  • The Emmys will be available to watch on CBS in the U.S., though you can also stream the show online using a service like YouTube TV, Hulu or Paramount+.
  • You can watch the Emmys from anywhere in the world by using a VPN and a U.S. streaming service.  
  • ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming content, and you can use its money-back guarantee to watch the Emmys live for free. 

There are a variety of options and streaming services that will allow you to watch the Emmys without cable. If you’re outside of the U.S., you will need a VPN, or virtual private network, to access these sites.

ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN choice for streaming, thanks to its superior speed and security — we highly recommend it (read our ExpressVPN review to learn more). 

  • The Emmys will be broadcast live on CBS, but you can also watch on streaming platforms like Hulu, YouTube TV, fuboTV or Paramount+. Viewers not in the U.S. will need a VPN.

  • Yes, you can. Hulu offers a free trial if you don’t want to lose any pennies. Check out our best VPN for Hulu article.

  • If you sign up for a free trial of one of the streaming services mentioned here, and take advantage of Express VPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can enjoy the 2021 Emmy Awards without spending a dime.

How to Watch the Emmys Without Cable

To watch the Emmy Awards without cable, cord cutters will need to subscribe to a streaming service that offers CBS. Some options to consider include Hulu, YouTube TV, fuboTV and Paramount+. 

However, if your only goal is to watch the Emmys, subscribing to a streaming service might not be worth emptying your pockets. Be sure to check out these services’ free trials to get around this. 

Emmy enthusiasts around the globe may be disappointed to find out that the streaming sites listed above are only available in the U.S. This is due to geoblocking, which restricts netizens outside certain countries or regions from accessing some sites and services within that country. Our geoblocking guide explains this in more detail. 

To get around this, you can use a quality VPN that can bypass the block and watch the Emmys from wherever you are. Our best VPN for the U.S. article tells all. 

Watch the Emmys Live on Your Local CBS Station

The Emmy Awards are broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles to every local CBS channel. For residents in the U.S. with cable, this is great news — you won’t need to worry about streaming services to enjoy the show! 

How to Watch the Emmys Online Free From Anywhere

For viewers outside the U.S, let’s take a look at how to use a VPN to stream the Emmys — for this example, we will use our favorite VPN, ExpressVPN. Remember, you can use ExpressVPN’s no-questions-asked refund policy and a free trial with one of the streaming services we mentioned to watch the Emmys free on awards night.

  1. Download and Install ExpressVPN

    Head on over to ExpressVPN’s website and download the app for your device and operating system. Next, follow the instructions in the installation wizard to install ExpressVPN. 

    download express vpn
  2. Connect to a U.S. Server

    Open the app. Click the three dots in the box titled “selected location” and choose a U.S. server. Then, just press the “power” button to connect.

    connect to us server
  3. Open Your Streaming Platform of Choice and Enjoy

    Go to a streaming service that streams the Emmys, such as YouTube TV, Hulu, Paramount+ or fuboTV on awards night and enjoy watching the Emmys live.

    paramount plus

Remember, if you’re watching from within the U.S., you will not need to use a VPN to stream the Emmy Awards. The above steps are only for those watching from other countries. We still recommend getting one, though, to protect your privacy and keep you fully secure online. 

What Time Are the Emmys Airing?

The Emmy Awards will be aired on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at 8 p.m. EDT or 5 p.m. PDT. At Cloudwards, we know only too well how confusing it can be to navigate different time zones, so remember to check yours so you don’t miss it by accident. A quick google search for “time zone converter” should sort you out. 

Who Are the Primetime Emmy Nominees?

The Emmys recognize and honor excellence in American TV, with nominees selected by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The categories are broad and range from outstanding lead actress and actor to sound editing, hair and makeup and many more, so this list is far from exhaustive. For the full list of nominees, visit the Emmys website. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

  1. Uzo Aduba (In Treatment)
  2. Jurnee Smollett (Lovecraft Country)
  3. Mj Rodriguez (Pose)
  4. Olivia Colman (The Crown)
  5. Emma Corrin (The Crown)
  6. Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  1. Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton)
  2. Jonathan Majors (Lovecraft Country)
  3. Matthew Rhys (Perry Mason)
  4. Billy Porter (Pose)
  5. Josh O’Connor (The Crown)
  6. Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  1. Aunjanue Ellis (Lovecraft Country)
  2. Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown)
  3. Emerald Fennell (The Crown)
  4. Gillian Anderson (The Crown)
  5. Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale)
  6. Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale)
  7. Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale)
  8. Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  1. Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian)
  2. O-T Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale)
  3. John Lithgow (Perry Mason)
  4. Tobias Menzies (The Crown)
  5. Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale)
  6. Chris Sullivan (This Is Us)
  7. Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale)
  8. Michael K. Williams (Lovecraft Country)

Outstanding Drama Series

  1. The Boys (Amazon Prime Video)
  2. Bridgerton (Netflix)
  3. The Crown (Netflix)
  4. The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
  5. The Mandalorian (Disney Plus)
  6. Lovecraft Country (HBO)
  7. Pose (FX/Netflix)
  8. This Is Us (NBC)

Who Is Hosting the Primetime Emmys?

This year’s Primetime Emmys will be hosted by Cedric the Entertainer. The TV host and stand-up comedian boasts a career spanning 34 years and he is best known for co-starring in The Steve Harvey Show and for hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. 

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, anyone, anywhere can enjoy the Emmys without too much effort. Will you be tuning into the Emmys this year? Have you ever used a VPN to watch the Emmys before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and, as ever, thanks so much for reading.