How to watch the 2026 Golden Globe Awards live without cable, including free options

Just four days into the new year, awards season kicked off with the Critics Choice Awards. One week later, it’s time for the Golden Globes to shine.

The 83rd edition of this star-studded event—which takes place on Sunday, January 11, in Beverly Hills, California—celebrates greatness in both television and film. Here’s everything you need to know about the big night, including how to tune in.

History and past controversy of the Golden Globe Awards

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the former organization behind the Golden Globes, was founded in 1943. Under this banner, journalists came together to create an awards ceremony to honor the artists they covered. The first event took place the following year, in 1944.

A 2021 Los Angeles Times article revealed several issues within the HFPA, including a complete lack of Black members. This caused many organizations and individuals to boycott the 2022 Globes. NBC declined to air the ceremony, Tom Cruise gave awards back, and several studios distanced themselves.

Because of HFPA’s many issues, the organization was dissolved and the Globes were sold to Penske Media Eldridge, becoming a for-profit institution.

Many are critical of this venture, viewing it as a conflict of interest, as the L.A. Times reported. Penske also owns Dick Clark Productions, the producer of the Globes, and several trade publications such as Variety, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Who is hosting the 83rd Golden Globes?

Despite the ongoing debate, the show must go on. Funny lady Nikki Glaser will emcee the event for her second year in a row.

She will be backed up by many talented presenters, such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Macaulay Culkin, Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Queen Latifah, and Regina Hall.

Heated Rivalry fans will delight in seeing stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie outside of the “boy aquarium.”

Where are the 83rd Golden Globes being held?

The 2026 Golden Globes Awards will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. This has been its permanent venue since 1961.

Who is being honored at the 83rd Golden Globes?

This is the first year that the Globes are presenting “Golden Week,” featuring multiple events leading up to the big night.

One of these is a new prime-time special called Golden Eve, during which the Cecil B. DeMille Award and the Carol Burnett Award, for outstanding contributions in film and television, will be formally presented.

Helen Mirren will receive the former, and Sarah Jessica Parker, the latter. This event aired on Thursday, January 8, but if you missed it, you can watch it after the fact on Paramount+.

Who is nominated for a 2026 Golden Globe Award?

In the movie world, One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s dark action comedy, leads the pack with nine nominations.

Closely on its heels is the Norwegian film Sentimental Value, starring Stellan Skarsgård. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has seven nods, while Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet received six.

Both Wicked: For Good and Frankenstein were honored with five nominations.

In the television realm, HBO’s White Lotus continues its dominance at the Globes with six nominations, while all of Netflix’s shows combined received 22.

The proposed merger between Netflix and HBO’s parent company could potentially increase Netflix’s laurels. Adolescence came in second place with five nods. Only Murders in the Building and Severance tied for third with four each.

How to watch the Golden Globes pre-show

If you are in it for the fashion, you have red-carpet-arrivals viewing options. The official Golden Globes pre-show will be hosted by Variety’s Marc Malkin and Angelique Jackson. It begins at 6:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed for free on Fire TV, Variety’s YouTube channel, or Variety.com.

Live From E!: Golden Globes 2026 will be hosted by Zuri Hall, Justin Sylvester, and Keltie Knight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. It is available on the E! network and Peacock.

How to watch the 83rd Golden Globes

Now onto the main event: The 83rd Golden Globes ceremony will air on the CBS broadcast network and on the Paramount+ streaming service.

The awards take place tonight (Sunday, January 11) from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

You will need the Paramount+ Premium service to stream the event in real time. Those with Paramount+ Essential subscriptions will have to wait until the next day to view the awards show.

If Paramount+ is not in your streaming arsenal, consider other live-TV streaming services that carry CBS, such as DirecTV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV.

Just be sure to double-check regional differences before committing to another monthly subscription. 

And remember that CBS is free if you have an over-the-air antenna.