How to Watch Oscars 2026 Live Stream Online
The 98th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Millions of movie fans want to watch this star-studded event as it happens. This year’s ceremony promises big drama with “Sinners” scoring a record 16 nominations and “One Battle After Another” grabbing 13 nods.
Getting access to the Oscars live stream is easier than you might think. You can watch through traditional TV, modern streaming apps or even for free.
This guide walks you through every option available. You’ll find pricing breakdowns, free viewing tricks and tips for watching from anywhere on the planet.
QUICK FACTS: OSCARS 2026 AT A GLANCE
Quick Answer: Watch the Oscars 2026 on ABC (7:00 PM EST) via cable, ABC.com (with cable login), or streaming services. Best options: Hulu ($11.99+), YouTube TV ($59.99 promo), FuboTV ($59.99 first month). Free methods: TV antenna, 21-day YouTube TV trial, or Oscar.com in select countries.
| Event | 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) |
| Date | Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST |
| Venue | Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, California |
| Host | Conan O’Brien (2nd consecutive year) |
| Most Nominated Film | “Sinners” – 16 nominations |
| Second Most Nominated | “One Battle After Another” – 13 nominations |
| Total Categories | 24 (including new Best Casting category) |
| Nominations Announced | January 22, 2026. Check the Full List |
Which Channel will air Oscars 2026?
ABC owns the broadcasting rights for the 98th Academy Awards in America. The network has aired the Oscars for over six decades straight. Tune to your local ABC channel on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM Eastern (4:00 PM Pacific). Red carpet coverage kicks off earlier in the evening before the main show.
Don’t bother checking Netflix or YouTube. Netflix won’t stream the Oscars this year. YouTube signed a deal with the Academy but that doesn’t start until 2029. Right now ABC is your go-to network for the full ceremony.
How to live stream Oscars 2026 in USA?
Plenty of ways exist to stream the Oscars without traditional cable. These streaming options work great whether you ditched cable years ago or just prefer watching on your phone.
Watch Oscars 2026 Live Online on ABC.com and ABC App
ABC offers free streaming on their website and mobile app. The catch? You need login credentials from a cable or satellite provider.
How to Watch on ABC.com and ABC App:
- Head to ABC.com or grab the ABC app from your app store
- Tap the live stream button
- Pick your TV provider from the dropdown menu
- Type in your login username and password
- Hit submit and start watching
The ABC app runs on pretty much everything. iPhones, Android phones, Roku boxes, Apple TV, Fire Sticks and most smart TVs all support it.
Watch Oscars 2026 Live Online Without Cable
No cable subscription? No problem. These streaming services carry ABC and will show the Oscars live.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV runs $89.99 monthly with commercials or $99.99 without ads. Your subscription includes 95+ live channels plus Disney+ and ESPN Select thrown in. You can record unlimited shows with cloud DVR and watch on two screens simultaneously.
New users get three days free. Here’s a neat trick: even the cheapest Hulu plan at $11.99 monthly lets you stream ABC live during the Oscars.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV normally costs $82.99 each month. First-timers pay just $59.99 for their first two months though. You get 100+ channels, unlimited DVR space and up to 21 days free to try it out. That’s one of the longest trial periods around. YouTube TV just rolled out cheaper plans too. Their budget options start at $54.99 monthly. Every plan includes ABC.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream packages begin at $79.99 per month. ABC comes with most regional packages across the country. New subscribers can test drive it free for five days. You get cloud DVR, multi-device streaming and no contract locking you in. DirecTV Stream makes a solid backup choice when other services aren’t available where you live.
FuboTV
FuboTV lists at $84.99 monthly but drops to $59.99 for your first month. The package includes 215+ channels and unlimited DVR storage that keeps recordings for a full year. Stream on ten devices at home or three mobile gadgets when you’re out. Five-day free trial comes standard. Sports junkies love FuboTV for its extensive coverage beyond just the Oscars.
US Streaming Services Comparison
| Service | Monthly Price | Free Trial | ABC Access | DVR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | $11.99-$99.99 | 3 days (Live TV) | Yes | Unlimited (Live TV) | All viewers |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 ($59.99 promo) | Up to 21 days | Yes | Unlimited | New subscribers |
| DirecTV Stream | $79.99+ | 5 days | Yes | Limited | Alternative option |
| FuboTV | $84.99 ($59.99 first month) | 5 days | Yes | Unlimited (1-year) | Sports fans |
How to Watch Oscars 2026 Live Around the World (TV Channels List)
Viewers outside America can catch the Oscars through local broadcasters. Here’s the complete worldwide channel guide.
| Region/Country | Broadcaster/Platform |
|---|---|
| NORTH AMERICA | |
| Canada | CTV, Crave |
| LATIN AMERICA | |
| Latin America (Regional) | TNT |
| Brazil | Rede Globo de Televisao |
| Mexico | Channel 13, Channel 7 |
| Dominican Republic | Telesistemas, Teleantillas (Canal 11) |
| Ecuador | Telecuatro Guayaquil, RTS Ecuador |
| El Salvador | Canal 2 |
| Guatemala | TVA Guatemala, Canal 31, Canal 35 |
| Honduras | Compania |
| Nicaragua | Canal 10 |
| Paraguay | SNT Canal 9 |
| Uruguay | Channel 12 |
| EUROPE | |
| United Kingdom | ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player |
| Ireland | RTE 2, RTE Player |
| Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Liechtenstein/Luxembourg | ProSieben, Joyn |
| Spain | Movistar Plus+ |
| Austria | ORF 1 |
| Switzerland | SRF 2 |
| Netherlands | FilmBox, CANAL+, Film 1 |
| Belgium | Play Fictie, Pickx |
| Denmark | TV2 Denmark, TV2 Play |
| Finland | Yle Teema Fem, Yle Areena |
| Greece | COSMOTE TV |
| Cyprus | Movies Best HD |
| Romania | VOYO |
| Bulgaria | Diema Family, Nova Television, Diema, Kino Nova, NovaPlay |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Federalna TV |
| Montenegro | Radio and Television of Montenegro |
| Macedonia | MRT (Macedonian Radio and Television) |
| Georgia | Imedi TV |
| ASIA-PACIFIC | |
| Australia | Seven Network, 7Plus |
| Japan | NHK-G, NHK BS, NHK ONE, WOWOW On Demand |
| South Korea | TVN Limited, OCN, OCN Movies, OCN Movies 2 |
| India | Star Movies, Star Movies Select, Colors Infinity, JioHotstar India |
| Thailand | True Visions |
| MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA | |
| Middle East/North Africa | Al Thaqafeyah, MBC Shahid |
| South Africa | M-Net, DStv Catch Up, DStv Stream |
The show starts at 7:00 PM Eastern / 4:00 PM Pacific in the States. Here’s when it airs in major cities worldwide. London catches it at midnight going into Monday, March 16. Paris viewers tune in at 1:00 AM Monday morning.
Dubai gets the show at 4:00 AM. Mumbai starts at 5:30 AM. Tokyo broadcasts at 9:00 AM. Sydney airs it at 11:00 AM Monday. Most international networks start red carpet coverage one or two hours early. Double-check your local listings for exact start times.
The Academy website (Oscar.com and Oscar.org) streams the ceremony free in certain countries. Visit their site closer to March 15 to see if your region qualifies.
Can I Watch Oscars Live Stream Free?
Absolutely. Several legitimate methods let you watch the Oscars without spending a dime.
Free Over-the-Air with Antenna
Old-school TV antennas still work great for watching ABC free. Pick up an HD antenna at any electronics store. Most run between $20 and $50. Plug it into your TV, scan for channels and you’re set. ABC comes in crystal clear high-definition. No internet required. Just make sure you live close enough to an ABC broadcast tower. Check AntennaWeb.org or RabbitEars.info to verify coverage at your address before buying.
Free Trials from Streaming Services
Smart timing with free trials gets you the Oscars at zero cost. YouTube TV hands out 21-day trials to new users. Sign up around February 22-24 and you’ll catch the March 15 ceremony with days to spare. Just remember to cancel before they charge you.
Hulu + Live TV gives three days free. Sign up March 13 and cancel by March 16. FuboTV offers five free days. Start your trial March 11 and cancel before March 16. Set phone reminders so you don’t forget to cancel. Screenshot your signup confirmation too. Test the app a day early to avoid scrambling at showtime.
Free Content from Academy Platforms
The Academy shares some free coverage but not the full show. Oscar.com and Oscar.org stream select content free in certain countries. Their YouTube channel posts red carpet interviews and backstage footage. Instagram goes live with celebrity arrivals.
Facebook streams the pre-show. TikTok clips highlights and funny moments. You won’t get the complete ceremony on these platforms though. ABC and their streaming partners keep exclusive rights to the full broadcast.
How to Watch Academy Awards Live Online from Anywhere
VPN services let you watch the Oscars from any country. VPNs bypass geographic restrictions that normally block streaming apps outside certain regions.
A VPN reroutes your internet through servers in different countries. Streaming services see the server location instead of your real spot. This tricks them into thinking you’re watching from an approved area.
Lots of travelers run into this frustration. You pay for YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV but can’t access them abroad. A VPN fixes this by connecting you through an American server. The streaming app thinks you’re in the US and lets you watch.
Quick Guide to Watch Academy Awards from Any Location:
- Grab a VPN like NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark
- Download their app on your phone, tablet or computer
- Connect to a US server location
- Open YouTube TV or Hulu and log in
- Stream the Oscars live on March 15, 2026
American streaming services ask for a US zip code during signup. Use 10012 for New York or 48104 for Michigan. Fire up your VPN at least 30 minutes before the show starts.
Some streaming platforms detect and block VPNs. Premium paid VPNs work way better than free ones. Pick servers physically close to where the streaming service operates. This speeds up your connection. Keep in mind that using VPNs might break your streaming service’s rules. Weigh the risks yourself before trying this method.
98th Academy Awards FAQs: All You Need to Know
Who is hosting the Oscars 2026?
Conan O’Brien comes back for his second year hosting. He killed it at the 2025 ceremony so the Academy invited him back. Conan keeps things funny and moving without dragging out the show.
Which movie has the most Oscar nominations in 2026?
“Sinners” grabbed 16 nominations and broke the old record. Ryan Coogler scored a Best Director nod. Actors Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo all got acting nominations. “One Battle After Another” trails with 13 nominations. Paul Thomas Anderson competes for Best Director against Coogler. Both films battle for Best Picture.
How long is the Oscars ceremony?
Plan on three to four hours from start to finish. Runtime changes based on how long actors talk during acceptance speeches. Musical numbers and tribute segments add time too. The show wraps around 11:00 PM Eastern (8:00 PM Pacific) most years. Services with DVR let you start an hour late and skip commercials to catch up.
Can I rewatch the Oscars after it airs?
Yep. Hulu + Live TV keeps your recordings for nine months. YouTube TV saves them as long as you stay subscribed. FuboTV stores recordings a full year. Most services post the full ceremony on-demand within 24 hours. ABC.com plays replays for a limited time. The Academy uploads acceptance speech clips and highlights to YouTube pretty quick after the show ends.
What new category was added to the Oscars 2026?
Best Casting joins the lineup for the first time ever. This brings the total competitive categories to 24. Casting directors finally get recognition for putting together the perfect cast. The award sits alongside classics like Best Picture and Best Director.
Will there be musical performances at the Oscars 2026?
Count on it. Artists perform the Best Original Song nominees live during the broadcast. The show also features musical tributes and medleys celebrating movie history. The Academy announces the full performer lineup in late February or early March. Check Oscar.com for updates.
What time does the Oscars red carpet start?
Red carpet coverage typically begins around 6:30 PM Eastern (3:30 PM Pacific). Most streaming services and ABC start their pre-show coverage at this time. The main ceremony kicks off at 7:00 PM Eastern. Plan to tune in early to catch all the celebrity fashion and interviews.
Can I watch the Oscars on my phone?
Absolutely. Download the ABC app, Hulu, YouTube TV or FuboTV app on your iPhone or Android device. All major streaming services support mobile viewing. Just make sure you have a solid internet connection or Wi-Fi. You can watch the full ceremony right from your phone or tablet.
Do I need a TV subscription to watch the Oscars?
Nope. Streaming services like Hulu, YouTube TV and FuboTV don’t require traditional cable. You can also watch free with an HD antenna or use free trials strategically to catch the show without paying. Plenty of options exist for cord-cutters and people without cable subscriptions.
March 15, 2026 brings Hollywood’s biggest party to screens worldwide. You’ve got the complete playbook now for watching the 98th Academy Awards live.
Pick the streaming option that matches your budget. Set those calendar reminders for free trials. Get ready to watch “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” duke it out for Oscar glory.