How to watch the 2026 Critics Choice Awards online and on TV

The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards, one of the first major events of the 2026 awards season, is set to air live on Sunday, January 4, 2026, offering multiple ways for audiences to tune in both on television and online.

The ceremony, which honors outstanding achievements in film and television from the past year, will be broadcast live from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, with comedian and host Chelsea Handler returning to lead the festivities.

It will air coast to coast on cable networks E! and USA Network, beginning at 7pm Eastern/4pm Pacific. In addition to television coverage, the event can be streamed through the networks’ official apps and websites.

Leading up to the main broadcast, fans can also catch the “Live from E!: Critics Choice Awards” red carpet special. Coverage typically starts a couple of hours beforehand, with live interviews and celebrity arrivals streamed on digital platforms and social media channels associated with the networks.

For viewers who miss the live event, replays and on‑demand highlights are expected to be available the following day on streaming platforms such as Peacock, making it easier to catch up on winners and memorable moments.

The Critics Choice Awards are known for spotlighting both critical favorites and popular hits from the past year, and this year’s nominees include contenders across film and TV. With awards season just beginning, the broadcast also provides an early look at possible frontrunners for the Oscars and other major honors later in 2026.