The 69th annual Emmy Awards take place tonight at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. Stephen Colbert is hosting for the first time ever, but there’s a lot more to know than just the venue and the host (this isn’t a dinner party, and you don’t need to bring a dish).

Read on for everything you need to know before tuning in tonight.

What are the Emmys?

Hello! The Emmys, also known as the Primetime Emmy Awards, are held each year to recognize members of the TV industry. The first Emmy Awards ceremony took place in 1949, and it’s been going on ever since, to varying degrees of public and industry interest.

When are the Emmys?

The Emmys will begin tonight, September 17th, at 8PM ET. (The pre-show red carpet coverage will begin much earlier than that: 4:30PM ET). The awards ceremony usually runs until about 11PM at a minimum, but I seem to recall slumping over on my couch after midnight for the past few years.

How can I watch?

The Emmys will air on CBS this year. That means you can watch on linear TV or on CBS’s streaming service, CBS All Access. The network is currently offering a free trial of All Access for first-time users, otherwise it’s $5.99 per month. CBS also tells The Verge you’ll be able to log in on a browser with a cable subscription or watch on YouTube TV.

Why should I watch?

This year is a big year for streaming services. Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have picked up a collective 125 nominations, with shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, Stranger Things, and Transparent up for awards. And as the streaming wars heat up, prestige TV and awards have become just as important to streaming services as they are to traditional networks. Might as well watch to see who comes out on top. And, of course, who doesn’t.