If they (CBS) want to have a show, we'll go ahead with it but if they don't, we'll proceed with distributing the Emmys at a dinner or press conference, or an appropriate venue

Jim Chabin, President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

A second try at staging the awards ceremony for the top US TV shows - originally planned for 16 September - was called off on Sunday because of the start of the US and UK air attacks on Afghanistan.

On Monday Jim Chabin, President of the Emmys awarding body the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, said the awards would be handed out whether or not TV network CBS wanted to host the ceremony.

"If they (CBS) want to have a show, we'll go ahead with it but if they don't, we'll proceed with distributing the Emmys at a dinner or press conference, or an appropriate venue," Mr Chabin said.

Chabin: Determined to honour winners

Postponing the ceremony twice was a mutual decision between the academy and CBS. The first time it was called off was because of the terror attacks on the US on 11 September.

The academy added that a final decision over the fate of this year's Emmys should be made by the end of the week.

If the show is cancelled outright, it will be the first time in the Emmys' 53-year history and would cost organisers millions of dollars in lost revenue.

"It's a decision that not only impacts the TV academy and CBS but the industry as well," CBS spokesman Chris Ender said.

Sunday's event was to have been toned down

The Prime Time Emmys are the equivalent of the Oscars for in the TV industry and are generally watched by millions of people across the US.

CBS is said to have paid $3m (�2m) for the rights to broadcast the show. The academy is also thought to have paid out about $3m (�2m) on arrangements.

CBS would also stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars from the commercial breaks during the three-hour show.

About 5,000 people could also lose the money paid for a ticket to the event and post-ceremony dinner, some costing up to $500 (�340).

Concerns over the suitability of a glitzy awards show following the tragic events of 11 September had already led to a re-arrangement of the original Emmys event.

Sombre

Sunday's ceremony was to be staged in two places, Los Angeles and New York, for the first time. Traditionally the show has taken place in Los Angeles.

Sunday's event was also to be a good deal more sedate than in past years to reflect the mood of the nation.

The awards had also been scheduled to take place amid unprecedented security measures.

The only other time the Emmys have been affected by world events was in 1978, when the ceremony was delayed by half an hour because then President Jimmy Carter announced the Camp David Accords.

The winners of the Latin Grammys, which were to be honoured at an awards ceremony on 11 September, are also yet to be revealed.

The event was cancelled and announcement of the winners, but no formal televised ceremony is expected in the next few weeks.