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Hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Chelsea Handler, the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards will be broadcast live on both coasts on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. It’s preceded by the two-hour red carpet special at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET.
Since the ceremony and carpet will air on E! and USA Network, cord-cutters can stream the annual broadcast live on any TV streaming service that carries those networks, including DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Fubo (with a five-day free trial), Sling and Hulu + Live TV.
At a Glance: How to Watch the Critics Choice Awards 2026
Since select streamers are offering free trials and limited-time discounts, viewers can catch the star-studded evening at no cost; keep reading to learn more about each option, and scroll down for this year’s film and TV nominees.
How to Watch Critics Choice Awards 2026: Air Date and Time, Where to Stream Online
The three-hour awards show airs live from the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport on Sunday, Jan. 4, from 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET to 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET. The ceremony is preceded by the televised red carpet, officially titled LIVE from E!: Critics Choice Awards red carpet special, at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET.
Both the ceremony and red carpet air on E! and USA Network (and can be livestreamed with DirecTV, Fubo, Sling or Hulu + Live TV). The Critics Choice Awards will also be available on Peacock the following day.
DirecTV
Five-day free trial; packages from $29.99 per month
E! and USA Network are included in any of DirecTV’s signature packages: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate or Premier. Plus, DirecTV is offering a five-day free trial for its streaming service.
Learn more about each plan option, including how to build your own channel lineup (starting at just $29.99 per month), at directv.com.
Fubo
Five-day free trial; packages from $55.99 per month ($45.99 for first month)
Watch E! with a subscription to Fubo, which offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers.
After the trial, plans start at $45.99 for the first month and $55.99 monthly afterward.
Sling
Half off first month for select plans
Both E! and USA Network are included in Sling’s Blue Plan ($50.99 per month) and Sling’s Orange & Blue plan, which is currently half off for the first month: $33 for the first month and $65.99 monthly thereafter.
Critics Choice Awards 2026 Nominations
Sinnersleads the film nominees with 17 nods, followed byOne Battle After Anotherwith 14 andHamnetandFrankensteinwith 11 nods apiece. As for TV,Adolescencetops the nominees with six nods, followed by five-time nomineeNobody Wants Thisand four-time nomineesAll Her Fault, Death by Lightning, Ghosts, Hacks, Severance, The DiplomatandThe Pitt.
See here for the full list of 2026 Critics Choice Awards’ film and TV nominees.