How to watch NAACP Image Awards 2026 online — stream ceremony from anywhere, Deon Cole returns as host

It's the award ceremony that goes the extra mile to recognise all the categories of talent at work in the creative industries (more than 80). Everyone from Don Lemon to Denzel Washington and Cardi B to CNN Newsnight is up for awards at the 57th NAACP Image Awards, which takes place this Saturday...

Read on to see how to watch a NAACP Image Awards 2026 stream from anywhere with a VPN.

On the way to their 60th birthday, the NAACP awards continue to shine as they honour Black talent from the worlds of film, television, music, literature and podcasts, and this year come from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. Actor and comedian Deon Cole hosts again.

Preparing to steal the headlines are Teyana Taylor with six nominations, tying with Kendrick Lamar in the music categories, and both nominated for Entertainer of the Year along with Cynthia Erivo, Doechii and Michael B. Jordan.

"Bel-Air" leads the television/streaming categories with seven nominations but "Sinners" is the stand out work, with Ryan Coogler's film nominated an incredible 18 times, twice the number of the next most-nominated movie — Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest". Cardi B and Leon Thomas both scored multiple nominations in the music categories.

Double-Academy Award winning actress Viola Davis will also be honored with the Chairman’s Award for her career and contributions to the arts and advocacy at the star studded celebration of the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color.

Keep reading to discover where to watch 2026 NAACP Image Awards streams online no matter where in the world you are.

How to watch NAACP Image Awards 2026 in the U.S.

BET (Black Entertainment Television) is showing the 2026 NAACP Image Awards in the U.S., with the ceremony being simulcast on CBS. It's set to air at 8 p.m. ET (live) / 5 p.m. PT on Saturday, February 28.

There are several ways you can access those channels, the most obvious one being to pull CBS down with one of the best TV antennas. Plus, they are both common to many cable plans.

Alternatively, they feature among the channel line-ups of a good few of our picks for the best streaming services. That includes Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV.

Comprehensive Live TV

Fubo is a great alternative to a cable package. With the Essential Plan ($73.99/month), you get over 200 channels, including local broadcast networks like CBS and top cable stations like CBS, BET, Bravo, E!, ESPN, FX, MTV, Syfy and Paramount Network. You can try it all out with Fubo's 7-day FREE trial.

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Watch NAACP Image Awards from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the 2026 NAACP Image Awards on your usual subscription?

You can still watch the ceremony live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best VPN on the market:

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple:

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.S. and want to view Fubo, you'd select a U.S. server from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to a service that's showing the 2026 NAACP Image Awards and watch just like you would at home.

How to watch NAACP Image Awards 2026 in Canada

BET is no longer available north of the border, so Canadians will need to tune into local CBS channels to watch the NAACP Image Awards 2026.

NAACP Image Awards 2026 — FAQs

Can you watch NAACP Image Awards 2026 in the U.K. or Australia?

This year's NAACP Image Awards don't feature in the TV listings of either the U.K. or Australia.

If you're an American visiting the U.K. or Oz, you can still tune into your usual stream with the help of a VPN. We recommend NordVPN — more details above.

NAACP Image Awards 2026 nominees

57th NAACP Image Awards® Nominations Special - YouTube

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Entertainer of the Year
Cynthia Erivo
Doechii
Kendrick Lamar
Michael B. Jordan
Teyana Taylor

Outstanding Motion Picture
"Highest 2 Lowest"
"One of Them Days"
"Sarah's Oil"
"Sinners"
"Wicked: For Good"

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
André Holland – "Love, Brooklyn"
Denzel Washington – "Highest 2 Lowest"
Michael B. Jordan – "Sinners"
Nnamdi Asomugha – "The Knife"
Tyriq Withers – "Him"

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Cynthia Erivo – "Wicked: For Good"
Danielle Deadwyler – "40 Acres"
Keke Palmer – "One of Them Days"
Kerry Washington – "Shadow Force"
Tessa Thompson – "Hedda"

Outstanding Drama Series
"Bel-Air"
"Beyond the Gates"
"Forever"
"Paradise"
"Reasonable Doubt"

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Forest Whitaker – "Godfather of Harlem"
Jabari Banks – "Bel-Air"
Michael Cooper Jr. – "Forever"
Morris Chestnut – "Watson"
Sterling K. Brown – "Paradise"

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett – "9-1-1"
Emayatzy Corinealdi – "Reasonable Doubt"
Lovie Simone – "Forever"
Patina Miller – "Power Book III: Raising Kanan"
Queen Latifah – "The Equalizer"

Outstanding Comedy Series
"Abbott Elementary"
"Harlem"
"Survival of the Thickest"
"The Residence"
"The Upshaws"

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer – "The Neighborhood"
David Alan Grier – "St. Denis Medical
David Oyelowo – "Government Cheese"
Mike Epps – "The Upshaws"
Vince Staples – "The Vince Staples Show"

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri — "The Bear"
Maya Rudolph – "Loot"
Michelle Buteau – "Survival of the Thickest"
Quinta Brunson – "Abbott Elementary"
Uzo Aduba – "The Residence"

Outstanding Album
"Am I the Drama?" – Cardi B
"Beloved" – Giveon
"Let God Sort Em Out" – Clipse, Pusha T, Malice
"Mutt Deluxe: Heel" – Leon Thomas
"SOS Deluxe: Lana" – SZA

Outstanding Male Artist
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Giveon
Kendrick Lamar
Leon Thomas

Outstanding Female Artist
Alex Isley
Cardi B
Doechii
SZA
Teyana Taylor

For the full list of NAACP Image Awards 2026 nominees, head to the official awards website

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