2026 Golden Globes: How Modern Codecs Stream Awards in 4K HDR

The 83rd Golden Globes kicked off awards season on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton - and millions watched in stunning 4K HDR thanks to next-generation video compression technology.
 

Major Film Winners

Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another dominated the comedy and musical categories, taking home best motion picture, best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress for Teyana Taylor. The film's sweep marks Anderson's most decorated project to date.

Chloé Zhao's Hamnet claimed best motion picture - drama, with Jessie Buckley winning best actress in a drama for her portrayal of Anne Hathaway (Shakespeare's wife).

Wagner Moura earned best actor - drama honors for his intense performance in The Secret Agent.

Television Dominance

Netflix's limited series Adolescence swept its categories with wins for Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty in the acting categories. The gritty British drama resonated with voters and audiences alike, cementing Netflix's awards season presence.

HBO Max's medical drama The Pitt took home best drama series, continuing the streaming platform's strong showing in prestige television categories.

Historic Firsts and Memorable Moments

The inaugural best podcast award went to Good Hang With Amy Poehler, marking the Golden Globes' first recognition of audio content. Poehler accepted with characteristic humor, joking about finally getting NPR's attention.

Host Nikki Glaser returned for her second consecutive year, delivering sharp monologues that earned widespread praise. Her jabs at Hollywood trends and industry insiders kept the audience engaged throughout the three-hour broadcast.
 

Watch Nikki Glaser's opening monologue that set the tone for the evening:

Emotional highlights included Teyana Taylor's heartfelt acceptance speech and Rhea Seehorn's touching acknowledgment of presenter Queen Latifah, referencing an encouraging moment from two decades prior that shaped her career.

Red Carpet Fashion Highlights

The red carpet delivered stunning fashion moments. Jennifer Lopez turned heads in sheer vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer, while Jennifer Lawrence chose a dramatic floral Givenchy gown.

Ariana Grande made waves in Vivienne Westwood couture, showcasing the designer's signature architectural style.

George and Amal Clooney made a rare joint appearance - their first at the Golden Globes in over a decade. The power couple joined presenters including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kevin Hart, and fellow A-listers celebrating Hollywood's biggest night.

The Streaming Technology Behind the Broadcast

Live broadcasts like the Golden Globes showcase why efficient video compression matters.

Modern codecs including AV1 and VVC (H.266) enable platforms like Paramount+ and CBS to deliver 4K HDR streams without buffering - even during peak viewership when millions tune in simultaneously.

These technologies reduce bandwidth requirements by up to 50% compared to older standards while maintaining pristine visual quality.

Complete Winners List

Film Categories:

• Best Motion Picture - Drama: Hamnet
• Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: One Battle After Another
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another
• Best Actress - Drama: Jessie Buckley - Hamnet
• Best Actor - Drama: Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent
• Best Supporting Actress: Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another
• Best Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another

Television Categories:

• Best Drama Series: The Pitt (HBO Max)
• Best Limited Series: Adolescence (Netflix)
• Best Actor - Limited Series: Stephen Graham - Adolescence
• Best Actress - Limited Series: Erin Doherty - Adolescence

New Category:

• Best Podcast: Good Hang With Amy Poehler

Optimize Your Streaming Setup

To watch awards shows and other high-quality streams without issues, ensure your system has comprehensive codec support.

The K-Lite Codec Pack provides everything needed for smooth playback of modern video formats including HEVC, AV1, and VP9.

For cross-platform viewing, VLC Media Player handles virtually any stream or file format without additional codec installation. Its built-in support for network streams makes it ideal for catching up on awards content.

Advanced users can leverage FFmpeg for advanced encoding and format conversion tasks - the same technology that powers many professional broadcast workflows.

Need to convert recordings for different devices? HandBrake offers preset profiles for optimal quality at smaller file sizes, perfect for archiving your favorite awards moments.

For building a complete home theater system to enjoy awards content year-round, Kodi transforms any device into a powerful media center with full codec support.

Looking Ahead to 2026 Awards Season

The Golden Globes traditionally set the tone for awards season, with winners often carrying momentum into the Oscars and Emmys.
 

The success of Hamnet and One Battle After Another positions both films as frontrunners in the months ahead.

As streaming technology continues to advance, expect 2026 to bring even more efficient compression for live events and podcasts.

The Golden Globes broadcast demonstrated that modern codecs are crucial for delivering premium content to global audiences - a trend that will only accelerate as 8K broadcasts and immersive formats emerge.

The introduction of the podcast category also signals Hollywood's recognition of audio content's growing importance - another medium where efficient compression and streaming technology play essential roles in content delivery.