The 2026 Norman Lear Awards, formerly the Sentinel Awards, which celebrates some of the best and most challenging TV entertainment of the past year that made a difference in viewers' lives, will be held on October 29th at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. Entries from broadcast, cable and streaming network shows are all eligible, and represent a range of topics on health, safety and security. 

The final honorees are selected based on accuracy, entertainment value and benefit to audiences, and will be announced at the ceremony. The awards are presented by Hollywood, Health & Society, a program of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center.

Submissions are accepted starting May 26, 2026. The deadline for submissions is June 26, 2026. To learn more about the awards, visit the HH&S awards web page. To submit an entry, visit the Rules and Eligibility page, and complete the online application form.

Last year's red-carpet event at the Writers Guild Theater, hosted by Emmy-winning writer, producer, and comedian Carol Leifer, honored shows including The Pitt, Paradise, Dying for Sex, Shrinking, Matlock, Chicago Med and Grey's Anatomy.

“Television has the power to affect audiences and the way they see the world around them long after the credits roll,” said HH&S program Director Kate Folb.