The SAG Awards, one of Hollywood’s primary peer-judged honors, will undergo a formal rebranding ahead of its next broadcast. Beginning with the 32nd ceremony on March 1, 2026, the event will be known as **The Annual Actor Awards**. Organizers state that the new name better reflects the ceremony’s identity for viewers in the United States and worldwide.
As reported by Deadline, the decision was announced jointly by Jon Brockett, the telecast’s showrunner and executive producer, and JoBeth Williams, an actress and chair of SAG-AFTRA’s Awards Committee. They described the shift as “a perfect next step in the show’s evolution” and emphasized that the core purpose of the awards remains unchanged: actors honoring actors.
## A Legacy of Celebrating Outstanding Performances
For over three decades, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, commonly referred to as the SAG Awards, have honored outstanding performances in film and television. As the show expanded, particularly after its move to Netflix in 2024, organizers increasingly found that the name did not translate clearly to international audiences.
### Reason for the Name Change
Organizers noted that the acronym ‘SAG’ is widely recognized within the entertainment industry but may be less clear to international audiences unfamiliar with the history of the Screen Actors Guild. The new title is intended to eliminate this ambiguity.
Officials explained that the new name aligns more directly with the award itself, making it easier for audiences to understand what it represents. Jon Brockett, executive producer of the telecast, said:
> “Since the beginning, our statue has been called ‘The Actor,’ and we’re a show that’s entirely about actors, so this new name is a perfect next step in the show’s evolution. The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA gives viewers in 190-plus countries an immediate understanding of who we are and what we’re about.”
The renaming also reflects the awards’ expanding global reach. Since the move from basic cable to Netflix starting with the 30th edition, the ceremony has drawn viewers from around the world.
## Continuity in Administration and Format
Aside from its new name, the format and process behind the SAG Awards will remain the same. Organizers made it clear that all processes—including submissions, eligibility, voting, and presentation—will remain unchanged.
The show is still to be produced and presented by SAG-AFTRA, the union created in 2012 from the merging of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).
JoBeth Williams emphasized:
> “The Actor Awards makes that crystal clear to audiences everywhere: when they tune in, they know they’re going to see their favorite actors celebrated by those who truly know the craft.”
The peer-voting model, in which actors recognize the work of fellow actors, remains a defining feature. Organizers note that this element has contributed to the ceremony’s industry respect for more than three decades.
The 32nd edition of The Annual Actor Awards will mark the official launch of the new title. Organizers state that the updated name modernizes the ceremony while preserving its established purpose—to celebrate outstanding performances in film and television through peer recognition.
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