Netflix will be hosting the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards for the first time, with the ceremony set to stream live on the platform at 8 p.m. Eastern. This move marks a significant shift as the SAG Awards have traditionally aired on TNT and TBS. With Netflix's vast global subscriber base of 260 million, the event is expected to reach a much larger audience this year.
The SAG Awards will run for approximately two hours without commercial breaks and will be available for viewing on Netflix for 28 days after the live stream. This marks one of Netflix's most notable ventures into live streaming events, following previous live specials such as a Chris Rock comedy show and a celebrity golf tournament.
The front-runners for the awards include Christopher Nolan's film 'Oppenheimer,' which is nominated for four awards, including best ensemble. Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' is also a strong contender with four nominations, potentially challenging 'Oppenheimer' for the top prize.
Notably, the SAG Awards have historically been a precursor to the Oscars, with three of the past four ensemble winners going on to win the best picture at the Academy Awards. This year's television nominees include popular shows like 'Succession,' 'Ted Lasso,' and 'The Last of Us.'
While some categories have clear favorites, such as Da'Vine Joy Randolph for supporting actress, the lead actor awards are shaping up to be closely contested. Actors like Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti are in the running for best male actor, while Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone are vying for best female actor.
The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the SAG Life Achievement Award to Barbra Streisand, along with appearances by stars like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt. This year's SAG Awards come on the heels of a prolonged strike by the SAG-AFTRA union, reflecting the ongoing changes in the film and TV industry driven by the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix.
