The Oscars 2026 air live on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET. The 98th Academy Awards take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Conan O’Brien hosting for the second year in a row.
ABC is the official US broadcaster and streams the full ceremony at no cost. You can watch on cable TV, a free HD antenna or online through ABC.com. This guide covers every step to watch free.
| Event | 98th Academy Awards |
| Date | Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
| Start Time | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT |
| Red Carpet | 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT |
| Venue | Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, CA |
| Host | Conan O’Brien |
| TV Channel | ABC |
| Free Streaming | ABC.com / ABC App (Live TV section) |
| Top Nominated Film | “Sinners” with 16 nominations |
Watch Oscars 2026 on ABC TV
ABC is the official US broadcaster for the Oscars and has aired the ceremony for over six decades. Turn on your TV on March 15 at 7:00 PM ET and tune to your local ABC affiliate. Red carpet coverage starts at 6:30 PM ET so tune in early for celebrity arrivals and fashion.
Cable and satellite subscribers already get ABC in every basic package. Providers like Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, DIRECTV and Dish all carry it at no extra cost.
No cable? A simple HD antenna works perfectly. Pick one up at any electronics store for $20 to $50. Plug it in, scan for channels and ABC comes in free with no internet required. Check AntennaWeb.org first to confirm ABC signal strength at your address.
How to Watch Oscars 2026 Free on ABC.com
ABC streams its live broadcast directly on its website. It is completely free with a TV provider login.
- Step 1: Go to abc.com/watch-live
- Step 2: Click “Live TV” in the top navigation
- Step 3: Select your TV provider from the sign-in list
- Step 4: Supported providers include Comcast, Spectrum, DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and most major services
- Step 5: Enter your provider login and password
- Step 6: The live ABC stream starts right away
The stream works on desktop browsers, tablets and smartphones. The same steps work inside the ABC app too.
Pro Tip: Test your provider login before March 15. Do not wait until showtime to find out you forgot your password.
Watch Oscars 2026 on the ABC App
The ABC app is free to download and works on almost every device. Sign in with your TV provider under the Live TV section and stream in full HD.
The app works on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs and most Android TVs.
Free Streaming Options with Trials
No TV provider login? These streaming services carry ABC and offer free trials you can use to watch the Oscars at zero cost.
YouTube TV (21-Day Free Trial)
YouTube TV is the best deal here. New subscribers get a full 21-day free trial. Sign up by February 22 and you will be inside your trial window on March 15. ABC is available in all major markets. The main Base Plan costs $82.99 per month after the trial ends. New subscribers can also get it for $59.99 per month for the first two months through a limited promo running until March 17, 2026. Cancel before the charge date and you pay nothing.
YouTube TV also launched new lower-cost genre plans in February 2026. The Sports Plan starts at $54.99 per month for new users for the first year then goes to $64.99. All plans include ABC, unlimited DVR and up to 6 household accounts.
Hulu + Live TV (3-Day Free Trial)
Hulu + Live TV gives new users 3 days free. Sign up on March 13 and cancel by March 16. Plans cost $89.99 per month with ads or $99.99 without. ABC is included. Hulu is also simulcasting the Oscars live in 2026 on its standard streaming app which is a big new addition this year. Past years required waiting until the day after.
FuboTV (7-Day Free Trial)
FuboTV lowered its prices in January 2026. The Pro Plan now starts at $79.99 per month with 219+ channels including ABC. Start your trial on March 9 and cancel before March 16. Note that FuboTV dropped NBC and E! channels in late 2025 but ABC remains active on the platform.
DIRECTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)
DIRECTV Stream offers a 5-day free trial for new subscribers. The Entertainment Plan costs $89.99 per month with 90+ channels including ABC. New customers also get 3 included months of HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ, Cinemax and MGM+ with the Entertainment Plan or higher. No contracts required.
Sling Blue (No Free Trial)
Sling Blue costs $45.99 per month but comes with an important note. ABC is only available in select major markets. Check your ZIP code at Sling.com before subscribing. Sling does not offer a standard free trial but new subscribers get 50% off their first month.
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly Price | ABC Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | 21 days | $82.99 | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3 days | $89.99 | Yes |
| FuboTV | 7 days | $79.99+ | Yes |
| DIRECTV Stream | 5 days | $89.99+ | Yes |
| Sling Blue | None | $45.99 | Select markets only |
Important: Set a phone reminder to cancel your trial before the billing date.
Oscars 2026 Full Schedule on ABC
| Event | Time ET | Time PT |
|---|---|---|
| Red Carpet Pre-Show | 6:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Main Ceremony Begins | 7:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Estimated End Time | 10:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
The show runs about 3 to 3.5 hours. ABC aims to wrap up by 10:30 PM ET. Check out the full 98th Academy Awards schedule here.
Oscars 2026 on ABC FAQs
Is ABC free to watch?
Yes. ABC is a free over-the-air broadcast network. An HD antenna gives you free access to ABC and other local channels with no monthly bill.
Can I watch the Oscars without cable?
Yes. Use an HD antenna for completely free viewing. A streaming service free trial from YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV or FuboTV also works at zero cost.
Is Hulu streaming the Oscars live in 2026?
Yes. For the first time in 2026 Hulu simulcasts the Oscars live at 7:00 PM ET on the same night as the ABC broadcast. Past years required waiting until the next day.
What time does the red carpet start?
Red carpet coverage on ABC starts at 6:00 PM ET. E! offers extended pre-show coverage starting around 4:00 PM ET.
Will the Oscars always air on ABC?
No. ABC holds broadcast rights through 2028. Starting in 2029 the Academy Awards move to YouTube through a deal running through 2033.
Can I watch the Oscars on my phone?
Yes. Download the free ABC app on iPhone or Android. Sign in with your TV provider under the Live TV section and watch from anywhere with a data or Wi-Fi connection.
Watch Oscars 2026 free on ABC on March 15 at 7:00 PM ET. Go to abc.com/watch-live, click Live TV, sign in with your provider and the stream starts right away. A $20 antenna or a free streaming trial works just as well. You have no reason to miss Hollywood’s biggest night.
