The annual Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies, which take place one week before the primetime Emmys broadcast and present a large majority of Emmys, is said to be conducted virtually this year due to the coronavirus outbreak according to The Hollywood Reporter. It will take place over different nights in September, however, specifics have not been decided at this time.
The actual Emmys broadcast still remains scheduled for September 20, although ABC is currently making decisions about the format of the ceremony. In a statement, they made it clear that they “are committed to delivering a show that honors television’s unparalleled role throughout 2020 in bringing people together during a worldwide pandemic as well as acknowledge and support the unprecedented national and global demand for social justice and equality,” via The Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, for the first time in the history of the Emmys a Governors Ball will not take place after either the Creative Arts Emmys or the Emmys ceremonies, via The Hollywood Reporter. TV Academy chairman and CEO Frank Scherma (Crude) states that this is “a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of Emmy winners, nominees, and guests during the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” He continues to say that “This has been an incredibly challenging time for our industry, and though we are now making plans to get back to work, we know there are many still suffering from the work stoppage caused by the coronavirus,” via The Hollywood Reporter. Scherma has noted that he will be donating $1 million to The Actors Fund COVID-19 Relief Fund to play hand in aiding “those in the entertainment industry who are struggling to meet basic needs due to layoffs, employment furloughs and other impacts of the pandemic,” via The Hollywood Reporter.
While the Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies have officially been moved to an online format, the in-person Emmys telecast is still set to take place in September. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show’s producers, the TV Academy, and ABC have consulted about precautions they could take to have the show proceed as normal even with the pandemic.