The Emmy Award statuette that consists of a winged woman, representing art, holding aloft an electron, representing science (AFP)

This year's Emmy Awards are in danger of being postponed due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes, as reported by US media on Thursday.

The Emmy Awards, which are considered television's equivalent of the Oscars, were initially scheduled to take place in September. However, there are discussions about pushing the event back as far as January, as stated in the Los Angeles Times.

While an official announcement about the postponement has not been made, those involved in the event, including vendors and producers, have been informed about the possibility, according to Variety.

The strikes in Hollywood are widespread, with both actors and writers participating, making it the first industry-wide walkout in 63 years. If the actors' strike continues during the Emmy Awards ceremony, it would prevent stars from attending, which could have severe repercussions on television ratings. Additionally, the writers' strike would mean that there would be no scripted monologue or jokes for the hosts and presenters during the telecast.

#Hollywood is facing its largest shutdown #strike in 63 years. pic.twitter.com/SlS6A8mg1m
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 16, 2023

Reports indicate that Fox, the broadcaster for this year's Emmy Awards in the United States, is advocating for a January postponement to allow more time for the strikes to be resolved. However, the Television Academy, responsible for voting and hosting the awards, prefers a shorter delay to avoid conflicting with Hollywood's busy film award season.

The Hollywood strikes have had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, with almost all US movie and television productions put on hold, except for a few exceptions such as reality and game shows. Members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are currently not allowed to promote their movies and series as they demand better pay in the streaming era and express concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on their careers.

The nominations for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards were recently announced, highlighting shows like "Succession", "The Last of Us," and "The White Lotus" with numerous nominations. The last time the Emmy Awards were delayed was in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks. As of now, neither Fox nor the Television Academy has provided an official statement regarding the potential postponement of the ceremony.