How to Watch Oscars 2026 Live Stream Online
The 98th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Movie fans across the globe want to catch this star-studded event as it happens. This year’s ceremony brings big excitement with “Sinners” scoring a record 16 nominations and “One Battle After Another” grabbing 13 nods.
You can watch through traditional TV, streaming apps or free methods. This guide covers all your options.
QUICK FACTS: OSCARS 2026 AT A GLANCE
| 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 |
| Host | Conan O’Brien (2nd year) |
| TV Channels | ABC (US), CTV (CA), ITV1 (UK) |
| Most Nominated | “Sinners” – 16 nominations. |
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. 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 before the main show.
Netflix won’t stream the Oscars this year. YouTube signed a deal with the Academy but that doesn’t start until 2029. ABC remains your main option for the full ceremony.
How to live stream Oscars 2026 in USA?
You have several options to stream the Oscars without traditional cable. These services work on phones, tablets, computers and smart TVs.
Watch Oscars 2026 Live Online on ABC.com and ABC App
ABC streams the ceremony on their website and mobile app. You need login credentials from a cable or satellite provider.
Steps to Watch:
- Head to ABC.com or grab the ABC app
- Tap the live stream button
- Pick your TV provider from the list
- Type in your login details
- Start watching the ceremony
The ABC app runs on iPhones, Android phones, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Sticks and most smart TVs.
Watch Oscars 2026 Live Online Without Cable
These streaming services carry ABC and will show the Oscars live.
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. You get unlimited cloud DVR and can watch on two screens at once. New users get three days free. The basic Hulu plan at $11.99 monthly also lets you stream ABC live.
YouTube TV normally costs $82.99 each month. First-timers pay just $59.99 for their first two months. You get 100+ channels and unlimited DVR space. New users can try it free for up to 21 days. YouTube TV rolled out cheaper plans starting at $54.99 monthly. Every plan includes ABC.
DirecTV Stream packages begin at $79.99 per month. ABC comes with most packages. New subscribers get five days free. You get cloud DVR and multi-device streaming with no contract.
FuboTV lists at $84.99 monthly but drops to $59.99 for your first month. The package includes 215+ channels and unlimited DVR that keeps recordings for a full year. Stream on ten devices at home or three when you’re out. Five-day free trial comes standard.
US Streaming Services Comparison
| Service | Price | Free Trial | ABC | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | $11.99-$99.99 | 3 days | Yes | All viewers |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 ($59.99 promo) | 21 days | Yes | New users |
| DirecTV Stream | $79.99+ | 5 days | Yes | Backup choice |
| FuboTV | $84.99 ($59.99 first month) | 5 days | Yes | Sports fans |
You can see the Full 2026 Oscar Nominations List
How to Watch Oscars 2026 Live Around the World
Viewers outside America can catch the Oscars through local broadcasters:
- Canada: CTV, Crave
- Mexico: Channel 13, Channel 7
- Brazil: Rede Globo
- Argentina: TNT Latin America
- Chile: TNT Latin America
- Colombia: TNT Latin America
- Peru: TNT Latin America
- Venezuela: TNT Latin America
- Ecuador: Telecuatro, RTS
- Paraguay: SNT Canal 9
- Uruguay: Channel 12
- Dominican Republic: Telesistemas, Canal 11
- El Salvador: Canal 2
- Guatemala: TVA, Canal 31, Canal 35
- Honduras: Compania
- Nicaragua: Canal 10
- Costa Rica: TNT Latin America
- Panama: TNT Latin America
- United Kingdom: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
- Ireland: RTE 2, RTE Player
- Germany: ProSieben, Joyn
- France: Canal+
- Spain: Movistar Plus+
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Portugal: RTP
- Netherlands: Film1, CANAL+
- Belgium: Play Fictie, Pickx
- Austria: ORF 1, ProSieben
- Switzerland: SRF 2, ProSieben
- Denmark: TV2 Denmark, TV2 Play
- Sweden: SVT
- Norway: TV2 Norway
- Finland: Yle Teema Fem, Yle Areena
- Poland: Canal+ Poland
- Czech Republic: Prima
- Greece: COSMOTE TV
- Turkey: beIN Media Group
- Russia: VGTRK
- Ukraine: 1+1 Media
- Romania: VOYO
- Bulgaria: Nova Television, Diema Family
- Croatia: HRT
- Serbia: RTS
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: Federalna TV
- Montenegro: RTCG
- Macedonia: MRT
- Albania: RTSH
- Georgia: Imedi TV
- Japan: NHK-G, NHK BS, WOWOW
- South Korea: TVN, OCN
- China: CCTV-6
- Hong Kong: TVB
- Taiwan: CTS
- India: Star Movies, JioHotstar
- Pakistan: ARY Digital
- Bangladesh: Channel i
- Sri Lanka: Sirasa TV
- Thailand: True Visions
- Vietnam: VTV
- Philippines: ABS-CBN
- Indonesia: Trans TV
- Malaysia: Astro
- Singapore: Mediacorp
- UAE: MBC Shahid
- Saudi Arabia: MBC Shahid
- Qatar: beIN Media Group
- Kuwait: MBC Shahid
- Bahrain: MBC Shahid
- Oman: MBC Shahid
- Jordan: MBC Shahid
- Lebanon: MBC Shahid
- Israel: yes
- Egypt: MBC Shahid
- Morocco: Al Thaqafeyah
- Tunisia: Al Thaqafeyah
- Algeria: Al Thaqafeyah
- South Africa: M-Net, DStv
- Nigeria: Africa Magic
- Kenya: M-Net Africa
- Ghana: MultiChoice Africa
- Ethiopia: EBC
- Tanzania: ITV Tanzania
- Uganda: NBS TV
- Australia: Seven Network, 7Plus
- New Zealand: TVNZ
- Fiji: Fiji TV
- Papua New Guinea: EMTV
The show starts at 7:00 PM Eastern / 4:00 PM Pacific in the States. London catches it at midnight. Paris viewers tune in at 1:00 AM. 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. Most networks start red carpet coverage one or two hours early.
Can I Watch Oscars Live Stream Free?
Yes. You have several ways to watch the Oscars without paying.
Free Over-the-Air with Antenna
TV antennas work for watching ABC free. Pick up an HD antenna at any electronics store for $20 to $50. Plug it into your TV and scan for channels. ABC comes in crystal clear. No internet required. Make sure you live close enough to an ABC broadcast tower. Check AntennaWeb.org to verify coverage at your address.
Free Trials from Streaming Services
You can use free trials to watch the Oscars at zero cost. YouTube TV gives new users 21 days free. Sign up around February 22 and watch the March 15 ceremony. Cancel before they charge you. Hulu + Live TV offers three days free. Sign up March 13 and cancel by March 16. FuboTV provides five free days. Start your trial March 11 and cancel before March 16. Set phone reminders so you don’t forget to cancel.
Free Content from Academy Platforms
The Academy shares some coverage but not the full show. Oscar.com streams 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. You won’t get the complete ceremony on these platforms. ABC keeps 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 block streaming apps outside certain regions. A VPN routes your internet through servers in different countries. Streaming services see the server location instead of your real location.
Travelers face this problem often. You pay for YouTube TV or Hulu but can’t access them abroad. A VPN fixes this by connecting you through an American server. The app thinks you’re in the US and lets you watch.
Quick Guide:
- Get a VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN
- Download their app on your device
- Connect to a US server location
- Open YouTube TV or Hulu and log in
- Stream the Oscars live on March 15
American services ask for a US zip code during signup. Use 10012 for New York or 48104 for Michigan. Turn on your VPN at least 30 minutes before showtime. Premium paid VPNs work better than free ones. Using VPNs might break your service’s rules.
How to Watch 98th Academy Awards FAQs
Who is hosting the Oscars 2026?
Conan O’Brien comes back for his second year hosting. He did well at the 2025 ceremony so the Academy invited him back. Conan keeps things funny and moving.
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. “One Battle After Another” trails with 13 nominations. 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 speeches and performances. The show wraps around 11:00 PM Eastern most years. Services with DVR let you start late and skip commercials.
Can I rewatch the Oscars after it airs?
Yes. Hulu keeps recordings for nine months. YouTube TV saves them while you stay subscribed. FuboTV stores recordings a full year. Most services post the full ceremony within 24 hours. The Academy uploads clips to YouTube after the show.
What new category was added to the Oscars 2026?
Best Casting joins the lineup for the first time. This brings the total to 24 categories. Casting directors finally get recognition for putting together the perfect cast.
Will there be musical performances at the Oscars 2026?
Yes. Artists perform the Best Original Song nominees live during the broadcast. The show also features musical tributes. The Academy announces performers in late February. Check Oscar.com for updates.
What time does the Oscars red carpet start?
Red carpet coverage starts around 6:30 PM Eastern (3:30 PM Pacific). Most streaming services and ABC begin their pre-show coverage at this time. The main ceremony kicks off at 7:00 PM Eastern.
Can I watch the Oscars on my phone?
Yes. Download the ABC app, Hulu, YouTube TV or FuboTV app on your iPhone or Android device. All major streaming services support mobile viewing. Make sure you have a solid internet connection or Wi-Fi.
Do I need a TV subscription to watch the Oscars?
No. 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 to catch the show without paying.
March 15, 2026 brings Hollywood’s biggest party to screens worldwide. Pick the streaming option that fits your budget and watch “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” battle for Oscar gold.