The British Academy Film Awards will broadcast on E! in the US for the first time this year. Hosted by Alan Cumming, the ceremony celebrates top British and global films. It airs on February 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, following BritBox's previous rights.
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards mark a shift in US broadcasting, moving from BritBox to E!. This change brings the event, which honors excellence in British and international cinema, to a broader audience across the pond. In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch on BBC One and iPlayer as usual.
Alan Cumming, known for hosting "The Traitors," will lead the ceremony on February 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The nominees highlight a mix of high-profile productions and British independents. Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" leads with 14 nominations, closely followed by Ryan Coogler's historical horror "Sinners" with 13. The best film category features contenders including "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme," and "Sentimental Value."
British entries add local flavor, with nods for indie films such as "I Swear," "Pillion," and "The Ballad of Wallis Island." In the leading actor race, Robert Aramayo from "I Swear" competes against Timothée Chalamet ("Marty Supreme"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("One Battle After Another"), Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon"), Michael B. Jordan ("Sinners"), and Jesse Plemons ("Bugonia").
The BAFTAs have gained prominence as an indicator for the Oscars. In 2025, alignments occurred in categories like best actress (Mikey Madison for "Anora"), best actor (Adrien Brody for "The Brutalist"), supporting actor (Kieran Culkin for "A Real Pain"), and supporting actress (Zoe Saldaña for "Emilia Pérez"). With Oscar voting concluding on March 5, this year's winners could influence Academy decisions.
