2021 Sag Awards moved to April to avoid Grammys conflict

The Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony typically takes place in January

The cast of 'Parasite' poses backstage with their Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award at the 2020 Sag Awards. Reuters

The 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards have been moved once again.

The Sag Awards announced on Wednesday that the 27th annual ceremony has been moved to Sunday, April 4, avoiding a date clash with the Grammys.

Both events were scheduled to air on Sunday, March 14.

In the US, the Sag Awards will air on TNT and TBS at 9pm EST (6am on April 5 GST) on Easter Sunday. The show honours outstanding film and television performances.

Sag Awards statuettes are now due to be handed out on Sunday, April 4. AP Photo

The Grammys had switched from Sunday, January 31 to Sunday, March 14 due to a recent surge in coronavirus cases and deaths in Los Angeles. Other award shows, including the Oscars and Golden Globes, have also pushed their ceremonies.

“Throughout these challenging times, our industry and our union members have proven their creativity and resilience in discovering new methods of storytelling while adapting to new safety protocols and procedures,” the Sag Awards organisers' statement said.

"We embrace that spirit as we re-imagine the Sag Awards with a one-hour special that highlights and expands on our signature I am an Actor opening and honours the outstanding performances of the past year.”

Last week, organisers behind the Screen Actors Guild Awards said they were "extremely disappointed" by the decision to postpone the Grammys Awards.

"We are extremely disappointed to hear of the conflicting date,” the Sag-Aftra union said in a statement. “We announced the same date for the Sag Awards last July with the intent to give the greatest possible scheduling consideration for other awards shows.

"We expect the same consideration from sister organisations throughout the industry.”

Both awards almost clashed last year, after the Grammys announced the same ceremony date of January 26. However, Sag-Aftra moved the Sags a week earlier after the Recording Academy's announcement.

The Sag Awards will reveal nominations on Thursday, February 4.

Additional reporting from AP