If you’re wondering what time is the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, the 2026 ceremony was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and 5 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The 90-minute celebration aired on CBS and Nickelodeon, with recording artist Alex Warren serving as host.
The ceremony has now taken place, and viewers looking to catch the show after its original broadcast can watch it on demand through Paramount+ beginning Sunday, November 15. This year’s event also marked a major change for the long-running awards show: its first-ever broadcast on CBS.
For families, young entertainment fans and viewers following their favorite celebrities, here is what to know about the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards, including the broadcast schedule, streaming options, host, performers and what made this year’s ceremony different.
What Time Did the 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Start?
The 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards began at the following times:
| U.S. Time Zone | Start Time | Scheduled End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 8:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| Central Time (CT) | 7:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 6:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 5:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Alaska Time (AKT) | 4:00 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| Hawaii Time (HST) | 2:00 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
The official broadcast window was 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. PT.
These were the advertised program times, rather than a separate red-carpet schedule. Viewers interested in celebrity arrivals and pre-show coverage should distinguish those activities from the actual television broadcast.
What Channel Were the Kids’ Choice Awards On?
The 2026 ceremony aired simultaneously on two major television networks:
- CBS: Live national broadcast.
- Nickelodeon: Live broadcast for the network’s traditional audience.
The move to CBS was particularly significant because it introduced the Kids’ Choice Awards to a broader television audience while maintaining its connection to Nickelodeon.
Viewers with cable or satellite television could watch through their participating television packages. Those using an antenna could also watch through a local CBS station, depending on reception and local availability.
How to Watch the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards on Paramount+
For viewers who missed the live broadcast, Paramount+ is the main streaming option.
The service offered two different viewing arrangements for the 2026 ceremony:
- Paramount+ Premium: Subscribers could stream the event live through their local CBS affiliate’s live feed.
- Paramount+ Essential: Subscribers could not stream the live broadcast but could watch the ceremony on demand beginning Sunday, November 15.
- Paramount+ Premium after the broadcast: Subscribers could also access the on-demand version beginning November 15.
This distinction is important for viewers who subscribe to Paramount+ but do not have the Premium plan. Having a subscription did not automatically provide access to the live CBS broadcast.
Viewers can visit the official Paramount+ website to check available subscription options and streaming access.
Who Hosted the 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards?
Alex Warren hosted the 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
The multiplatinum recording artist and Grammy-nominated performer brought his music-industry popularity and online audience to one of Nickelodeon’s biggest annual entertainment celebrations.
His selection reflected the awards show’s continuing interest in connecting traditional television entertainment with contemporary music, social media and digital creators.
The ceremony took place at Television City in Los Angeles, California.
Which Performers Appeared at the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards?
Music was an important part of this year’s celebration, with several artists scheduled to perform.
The announced performers included:
- Jamie Miller: Opened the ceremony with his song “Babydoll,” marking its U.S. television debut.
- Ashe: Performed her breakout song “Stop the Wedding!”
- SOFI TUKKER: Brought their dance track “TSUNAMI,” a collaboration with Ryan Tedder, to the stage.
The opening performance also included appearances by Antonio Cipriano and Victoria Justice, alongside a dance sequence celebrating memorable musical trends from different decades.
The production incorporated references to dance hits associated with Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Lady Gaga, PSY and JYT.
These performances helped give the ceremony a broader musical identity while maintaining the energetic atmosphere that has defined the Kids’ Choice Awards for decades.
Chris Pratt Received the King of Comedy Award
One of the major highlights announced ahead of the ceremony was the special recognition for actor Chris Pratt.
Pratt was selected to receive Nickelodeon’s King of Comedy Award, honoring his comedic work across television, film and animated entertainment.
His career includes performances in major entertainment franchises, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie and other popular productions.
The recognition was accompanied by the presentation of a special Silver Blimp trophy, connecting the honor to the awards show’s familiar orange-blimp tradition.
Pratt was also nominated for Favorite Male Animated Voice From a Movie for his role as Mario in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
What Were the Major Nominees at the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards?
The 2026 nominations covered entertainment categories across movies, television, music, gaming, sports and digital content.
Some of the most recognizable names and franchises included:
- Taylor Swift
- Ariana Grande
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Justin Bieber
- Bruno Mars
- BTS
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Wednesday
- Wicked: For Good
- Toy Story 5
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
- KPop Demon Hunters
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Taylor Swift led the individual nominees with six nominations, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each received five.
The nominations reflected the popularity of established entertainment stars as well as newer music, movie and digital entertainment trends.
How Many Categories Were Included in the 2026 Ceremony?
The 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards featured 36 fan-voted categories.
The awards covered several areas of popular culture, giving young audiences opportunities to recognize their favorite entertainers and productions.
Some notable additions included:
- Favorite On-Screen Duo/Trio
- Favorite Clutch Player of the Year
- Watch Party: Kids’ Choice
These additions demonstrated how the awards were broadening their coverage beyond traditional movie, television and music categories.
Fans could participate through the official Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards website.
Why Were the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards Held in November?
The November scheduling was another unusual development.
Historically, the Kids’ Choice Awards have generally taken place during the spring or summer. The 2026 ceremony, however, was scheduled for November 14.
November scheduling is not entirely unprecedented. The awards were also held in November in 1992, making the 2026 edition a notable return to that part of the calendar.
The timing also coincided with the show’s expansion to CBS, creating a different television opportunity for Nickelodeon and its parent entertainment operations.
There has been no confirmation that future ceremonies will permanently move to November. Viewers should therefore avoid assuming that the 2027 ceremony will follow the same schedule.
Why the 2026 Awards Were Important for Nickelodeon
The 2026 ceremony represented more than another annual celebration of popular entertainment.
Its first CBS broadcast marked an important distribution milestone. Nickelodeon retained its traditional role while CBS introduced the event to viewers who might not regularly watch the children’s entertainment network.
The combination of established celebrities, digital personalities, musicians and fan voting also reflected the changing entertainment habits of younger audiences.
The familiar orange blimps, celebrity appearances and slime-filled surprises remained central to the show’s identity.
For Nickelodeon, maintaining those traditions while reaching additional viewers was an important part of the 2026 presentation.
Where Can Viewers Find Official Kids’ Choice Awards Updates?
Although the 2026 ceremony has concluded, viewers interested in future announcements can follow the event through its official entertainment platforms.
The following destinations provide useful information:
- Nickelodeon official website – Network programming and entertainment announcements.
- CBS official website – Television programming and broadcast information.
- Paramount Press Express – Official announcements, programming information and entertainment updates.
Future announcements may include the next ceremony’s date, host, nominees, performers and broadcast arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards
1. What time is the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards?
The 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards started at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 14. The scheduled broadcast lasted 90 minutes.
2. What date were the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards?
The ceremony took place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Television City in Los Angeles, California.
3. What channel broadcast the 2026 Kids’ Choice Awards?
The awards aired live on CBS and Nickelodeon. The 2026 edition marked the first time the ceremony was broadcast on CBS.
4. Can I watch the Kids’ Choice Awards after the live broadcast?
Yes. The 2026 ceremony became available on demand through Paramount+ beginning Sunday, November 15, for both Essential and Premium subscribers in the United States.
5. Who hosted the 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards?
Alex Warren hosted the 2026 ceremony.
6. How long were the Kids’ Choice Awards?
The scheduled television presentation lasted approximately 90 minutes, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET.
7. Who received the King of Comedy Award in 2026?
Chris Pratt was selected to receive Nickelodeon’s King of Comedy Award.
8. When will the next Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards take place?
The 2027 ceremony date has not been officially confirmed in the available 2026 announcements. Viewers should wait for Nickelodeon’s announcement rather than assume the November schedule will continue.
Final Takeaway
The 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards delivered a major television milestone with its first CBS broadcast, Alex Warren as host and a lineup of popular entertainers. Although the live ceremony has concluded, viewers who missed it can catch up through Paramount+ on demand.
Which celebrity or performance was your favorite this year? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the next Kids’ Choice Awards announcement!
