The Television Academy today announced additional programming for Televerse 26, the only festival from the presenters of the renowned Emmy Awards that takes fans, television aficionados and industry insiders behind the scenes of award-winning shows, Aug. 14-16, 2026, at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE.
Televerse is a celebration of all things television, including Emmy-nominated programs, innovative storytellers and beloved content, providing attendees with unprecedented opportunities to come face-to-face with their favorite stars on their favorite shows while offering insights and expertise from craftspeople, tech pioneers and innovators across the industry.
Latest Televerse additions include:
First Look at American Hostage
Join cast members, co-creators, executive producers and writers for an exclusive first look at the new anthology series American Hostage, starring Jon Hamm, premiering on MGM+ this fall. Based on the acclaimed first season of the scripted podcast of the same name, American Hostage is a psychological thriller set in the 1970s that tells the harrowing true story of Fred Heckman, a beloved Indianapolis radio reporter who is thrust into a life-or-death crisis when a hostage-taker demands to be interviewed on his popular news program. Confirmed panelists include cast members/actors Giovanni Ribisi and Kristoffer Polaha; co-creators, writers and executive producers Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers; and writer, executive producer Sharon Hoffman.
Tracker: A Conversation with Justin Hartley
Join Tracker star and executive producer Justin Hartley (This Is Us, Smallville) for an exclusive conversation about CBS's breakout hit, the show's continued success, bringing production to Los Angeles for its upcoming fourth season, and what's next for his character Colter Shaw. Hartley plays the lone-wolf survivalist and expert tracker Shaw who travels the country as a reward seeker, using his unique skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve complex mysteries—all while navigating the fractures within his own family. Tracker returns this fall on CBS.
Outside the Box: Rethinking the Future of TV presented by Google TV
As the streaming landscape continues to transform, so do the ways that we create, watch and discover television. From next-generation creators to independently produced series, to short-form and companion content, join the creatives and executives leading television’s next era for a deep dive into curation, connection and redefining what TV storytelling is and can be. Speakers include Lisa Siskind Bilgrei, Google TV’s director of go-to-market and content programming, with additional panelists to be announced soon.
Passes are available at televerse.com. The 3-Day Pass offers full access to all three days of Televerse 26, including all panels, workshops, screenings and Q&As (subject to availability). The Televerse Insider Pass also includes priority, front-of-line access for pre-booked sessions; a one-year subscription to emmy magazine (the Television Academy’s award-winning member publication) and 25% off Televerse merchandise.
Further programming will be announced before the Aug. 14 festival opening.
Televerse is made possible by Television Academy corporate partners Decoy Wines, FIJI Water, Franciacorta, LG, People, The Ritz-Carlton and United Airlines as well as this year’s Televerse sponsors Deadline, Gold Derby, Google TV, LA Times/The Envelope, Scriptation, The Ankler, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap and Variety.
Follow Televerse on social media at Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Download the press release here.
Contact:
Jim Yeager
breakwhitelight for the Television Academy
jim@breakwhitelight.com
818-264-6812
Contact:
Stephanie Goodell
breakwhitelight for the Television Academy
stephanie@breakwhitelight.com
818-462-1150
