Nate Bargatze to Receive NAB Television Chairman’s Award, Headlining NAB Show Events April 21, 2026 (ET)
Comedian Nate Bargatze will be honored with the 2026 NAB Television Chairman’s Award and will appear on the NAB Show Main Stage on April 21, 2026 (ET) for an acceptance and a public fireside chat and Q& A. The recognition caps a run that has broadened Bargatze’s reach beyond stand-up, with major touring revenue, award recognition and new creative ventures across film and television.
The award and the NAB Show appearance
The Chairman’s Award singles out entertainers whose work highlights broadcast television’s cultural footprint. Bargatze will accept the prize on the NAB Show Main Stage on April 21, 2026 (ET) and will follow that moment with a fireside conversation and audience Q& A. The appearance is framed as a public celebration of his ability to connect with broad viewers and to create work that travels across formats.
What has propelled Bargatze’s profile
Over the past several years Bargatze has shifted from rising comedian to mainstream draw. In 2024 he set a record for the largest one-year gross by a comedy performer, posting $82. 2 million in ticket and related revenue. He hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025, which registered the highest Emmy viewership in four years, and he holds a Grammy for a stand-up special and companion album.
Digital reach and mainstream moments
Bargatze’s sketches on a late-night sketch show have generated vast digital viewership, with online video totals exceeding 42 million combined views. Those clips, plus special releases and tours, helped cement a fan base that spans generations and platforms. His storytelling—light on edge but rich in observational detail—has proven adaptable to short-form clips, longform specials and live performance alike.
Expansion into production and new projects
In 2023 Bargatze launched his own production arm to develop specials, podcasts and film and television content. The company is positioned to produce his stand-up work alongside scripted projects he develops and stars in. Among the projects on his slate is a feature comedy slated for theatrical release on May 29, 2026 (ET), and a new series he co-created that premiered on February 25, 2026 (ET) across broadcast and streaming windows.
Why the NAB honor matters
The Chairman’s Award underlines the role of broadcast television as a cultural meeting place, and Bargatze’s selection highlights how a comedian can leverage touring, specials and TV to create widely shared moments. His recent commercial success, coupled with award recognition and forays into film and series production, illustrate a career arc that traders and programmers alike see as emblematic of contemporary entertainment pathways.
Looking ahead
At the NAB Show appearance Bargatze is expected to reflect on the intersection of stand-up, televised events and scripted entertainment, and to answer audience questions about the business of comedy and creative control. With a busy release schedule and a production company aimed at growing his output, Bargatze is positioned to remain a prominent voice in comedy and multiplatform entertainment through 2026 and beyond.
