Tonight, Sunday, January 11, 2026, the global entertainment spotlight turns to one of the most prestigious and closely watched ceremonies of the year. For viewers asking what award show is on tonight, the answer is clear: the 83rd Golden Globe Awards are airing live, launching the official start of Hollywood’s awards season with glamour, major stars, and industry-defining wins.
The Golden Globes honor the best in film and television from the past year and are known for blending high-profile recognition with an energetic, unpredictable atmosphere. From red carpet fashion to emotional acceptance speeches and historic category moments, tonight’s show brings together the biggest names in entertainment for an evening that often shapes the narrative of the entire awards season.
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The Event Taking Place Tonight
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards are being held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, a venue that has become synonymous with the ceremony. The show is broadcasting live across the United States in prime time, allowing millions of viewers to watch the winners revealed in real time.
The Golden Globes are unique because they celebrate both film and television in the same ceremony. This dual focus places A-list movie stars and top television performers on the same stage, creating a rare mix of cinematic prestige and small-screen popularity in one night.
This year’s ceremony also marks a significant evolution in the awards’ history, with the introduction of a new category recognizing excellence in podcasting. The addition reflects how storytelling has expanded beyond traditional screens and into digital and audio platforms, acknowledging the growing cultural impact of long-form audio content.
Broadcast Time and Viewing Options
The ceremony is airing tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, making it one of the most prominent prime-time events on the U.S. television schedule.
Viewers can watch the full broadcast on network television, and it is also available via live streaming for audiences who prefer to watch on connected devices. Red carpet coverage and pre-show interviews began earlier in the evening, offering fans a look at fashion, first reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments before the awards themselves are presented.
The Host and Tone of the Night
Comedian and actress Nikki Glaser returns as host, marking her second consecutive year leading the Golden Globes. Her previous performance was widely noted for its sharp humor and confident stage presence, and her return signals a continued effort to balance comedy with respect for the achievements being honored.
The Golden Globes are traditionally more relaxed than some other major award shows, with nominees seated at tables rather than in theater rows. This setting often leads to spontaneous reactions, candid camera shots, and moments that quickly go viral across social media platforms.
Leading Films and Television Series
This year’s nominations highlight a diverse range of storytelling styles and genres, from large-scale studio productions to intimate character-driven dramas and critically acclaimed television series.
Among the most nominated films of the year is One Battle After Another, which leads the field with nine nominations across major categories. The film has drawn attention for its performances, direction, and overall production, making it one of the most closely watched contenders of the night.
Other strong film contenders include Sentimental Value and Sinners, both of which received multiple nominations and are expected to be central to the evening’s major awards.
On the television side, The White Lotus stands out with the highest number of nominations in its category group. The series’ continued critical acclaim and strong performances have positioned it as a favorite in several acting and series categories.
Acting Categories and Star Power
The Golden Globes are known for attracting a mix of established Hollywood icons and rising stars, and this year’s nominee list reflects that balance.
Major acting categories feature performances from veteran actors with long award histories as well as newer faces whose recent work has captured both critical praise and audience attention. The ceremony also continues its tradition of separating drama and comedy or musical performances, allowing a broader range of roles and genres to receive recognition.
Because the Golden Globes are among the first major awards of the year, tonight’s winners often gain momentum that carries into later ceremonies, including the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Academy Awards.
A Historic Addition: Podcast Recognition
One of the most talked-about changes to the ceremony this year is the introduction of a category honoring excellence in podcasting. This marks the first time in Golden Globes history that audio-only storytelling is being formally recognized alongside film and television.
The move reflects the rapid growth of podcasts as a major entertainment and journalism medium in the United States, with millions of listeners engaging daily with narrative series, investigative reporting, and long-form interviews. Including podcasts places the Golden Globes at the forefront of acknowledging how modern audiences consume and value stories.
Global Representation on the Nominee List
International cinema and television continue to gain a stronger presence at major U.S. award shows, and tonight’s ceremony reflects that trend. Several nominated projects originate outside the United States, showcasing performances and productions from Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
This broader representation highlights the increasingly global nature of entertainment, where streaming platforms and international distribution allow stories from around the world to reach American audiences and critics more easily than ever before.
The Red Carpet and Cultural Impact
Beyond the awards themselves, the Golden Globes red carpet remains a major cultural event. Designers, stylists, and celebrities use the evening to debut fashion statements that often influence trends throughout the year.
The combination of high fashion, celebrity interviews, and real-time social media reactions turns the red carpet into a parallel spectacle that draws viewers even before the first award is presented. For many fans, these moments are as memorable as the acceptance speeches that follow.
Why Tonight’s Ceremony Matters
For anyone searching what award show is on tonight, the Golden Globes represent more than a single evening of trophies. They act as a barometer for the awards season, shaping industry conversations and public expectations in the months that follow.
Winning or even being nominated can significantly elevate a project’s visibility, influencing box office performance, streaming viewership, and future casting opportunities. The outcomes revealed tonight often set the tone for how films and series are discussed throughout the rest of the year.
What Viewers Can Expect as the Night Unfolds
As the ceremony progresses, audiences can look forward to:
- Major awards for best film and best television series in both drama and comedy categories
- Emotional acceptance speeches from first-time winners
- Tributes to outstanding careers and contributions to the industry
- Unexpected victories that may shift the narrative of the awards season
With a mix of prestige, entertainment, and cultural relevance, the Golden Globes continue to hold a unique place in the American awards calendar.
Share your predictions and favorite moments from tonight’s show, and stay connected for all the highlights as the winners are revealed.
