Hollywood’s biggest night returns on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards will make history as “Sinners” breaks the all-time Oscar nomination record with 16 nods.
This complete guide shows you exactly how to watch the Oscars 2026 live stream for free from anywhere in the world. You’ll find all the streaming options, TV channels, start times, and red carpet coverage details you need to catch every moment of the ceremony.
The nominations came out on January 22, 2026. History was made this year. “Sinners” broke the all-time record with 16 nominations. This beats the previous record of 14 held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.” The film “One Battle After Another” follows with 13 nominations. Three other films each earned 9 nominations including “Frankenstein,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sentimental Value.”
This year brings a new award category for the first time in 25 years. Best Casting joins the lineup as the 24th competitive Oscar category. The last new category was Best Animated Feature back in 2001.
Red carpet coverage starts about 60 to 90 minutes before the main show. You’ll see all your favorite stars arrive in style. Reporters will interview nominees and show off the best fashion of the night.
98th Academy Awards at a glance:
| Date: | Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
| Location: | Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California |
| Host | Conan O’Brien |
| Start Time: | 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT |
| TV Channel: | ABC |
| 2025 Winners | See the full List |
Where will the Oscars be held in 2026?
The 98th Academy Awards take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The Dolby Theatre has hosted the Oscars since 2002. Only one exception occurred in 2021 when COVID-19 restrictions forced a venue change to Union Station.
What is the Oscars 2026 Start time?
The main ceremony starts at 7:00 p.m. ET or 4:00 p.m. PT on ABC. Red carpet coverage begins earlier in the afternoon. Fans get an early look at the stars arriving and their amazing outfits.
Most Oscar ceremonies run about three and a half hours. The show should end around 10:30 p.m. ET or 7:30 p.m. PT. The timing can vary based on speeches and special moments during the night.
What channel are the 2026 Oscars on?
ABC broadcasts the 2026 Oscars live in the United States. Hulu streams the ceremony live at the same time as ABC. This marks the second year Hulu offers live streaming of the Oscars.
You can watch through several streaming services that carry ABC. These include YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV. Many offer free trials for new users.
The event reaches over 200 countries worldwide. Here’s where to watch around the globe:
- UK: ITV1 and ITVX
- Canada: CTV and Crave
- Australia: Channel 7 and 7Plus
- India: Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema
- Spain: Movistar Plus+
- Germany, France, Norway: Disney+
The Oscars will move to YouTube starting in 2029. The platform will stream it free worldwide. The 2026, 2027, and 2028 ceremonies will be the last on ABC.
How to Watch Oscars 2026 live stream in the U.S.
ABC makes it easy to watch the Oscars 2026. Just tune in to your local ABC channel. You can also stream it live on Hulu without needing Hulu + Live TV. All Hulu subscribers get access to the live stream.
Watch on ABC
ABC streams the ceremony on its website and app. You need login credentials from your TV provider to access ABC.com or the ABC app. Cable, satellite, or streaming service logins all work.
An HDTV antenna lets you watch ABC for free. This works great for people who live near an ABC broadcast tower. The signal comes in crystal clear at no cost.
Stream on Hulu
Hulu streams the Oscars live starting at 7:00 p.m. ET or 4:00 p.m. PT. All Hulu subscribers can watch. You don’t need the Live TV add-on. This is the same time as the ABC broadcast.
Live TV Streaming Services
Several streaming services carry ABC and offer different options:
YouTube TV is currently running a special promotion. New subscribers pay just $67.99 per month for five months. This saves you $75 total compared to the regular $82.99 monthly price. The service also offers a 21-day free trial. YouTube TV just launched new genre-based plans starting at $54.99 per month. The Sports Plan costs $64.99 monthly and includes ABC along with all major sports networks.
FuboTV offers a 5 to 7 day free trial for new users. The Pro plan costs $84.99 per month and includes over 220 channels. You get unlimited Cloud DVR storage and can watch on 10 devices at home. New subscribers save $20 to $30 on their first month. Note that FuboTV lost NBC channels in late 2025 due to a contract dispute but still carries ABC.
DIRECTV Stream provides a 5-day free trial. The Entertainment plan starts at $89.99 monthly with 90+ channels. DIRECTV also offers new Genre Packs starting at just $19.99 per month. The MyNews Genre Pack costs $34.99 for the first two months and includes ABC. This is perfect just for watching the Oscars.
Hulu + Live TV costs $89.99 per month and includes the Disney Bundle at no extra cost. You get Disney+, ESPN+, and over 95 live channels including ABC. The service offers a 3-day free trial. Hulu + Live TV provides unlimited Cloud DVR storage.
How to watch Oscars 2026 in the UK
ITV has exclusive rights to broadcast the Oscars in the UK. Watch live on ITV1 or stream free on ITVX. The coverage includes everything from red carpet arrivals to the final award of the night.
ITVX works on web browsers, smart TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and gaming consoles. You need a free ITVX account to watch online. ITV usually posts highlights the next day for people who miss the live show.
How to watch the Oscars 2026 in Canada
CTV broadcasts the 98th Oscars in Canada. You can also stream it on Crave. Both services show the complete ceremony.
The CTV website at CTV.ca lets you watch on desktop or mobile browsers. The CTV app works on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices. Download the app and sign in to start watching.
How to live stream the Academy Awards in Spain?
Movistar Plus+ covers the Oscars 2026 in Spain. The ceremony starts at 1 a.m. local time on Monday, March 16.
Movistar Estrenos provides Spanish-language coverage. Movistar+ offers the English-language broadcast. The service competes with Prime Video, HBO, and Netflix in Spain.
You can watch on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices. Movistar+ offers several package options. The Total Premium plan includes the most channels.
Where to Watch & Stream Oscars 2026 in Australia
Channel 7 broadcasts the Oscars 2026 in Australia. You can also stream it free on 7Plus. Both show the complete red carpet and ceremony.
The Channel 7 app works on Android and iOS devices. Download it from the PlayStore or App Store. The app also works on Apple TV, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
Channel 7 and 7Plus cost nothing to use. You just need to be in Australia to access the service. A VPN lets you connect to an Australian server from other countries.
Desktop users can visit the 7Plus website directly to watch online.
How to Watch Oscars 2026 live stream in India
Star Movies and JioHotstar broadcast the Oscars in India. The ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. IST on Monday, March 16, 2026. The time difference means Indian viewers watch it Monday morning.
Star Movies provides complete television coverage of the event. You can watch it live on Star Movies HD through your cable or DTH provider. The channel shows everything from red carpet arrivals to the final award of the night.
JioHotstar streams the ceremony live on mobile and smart devices. Download the JioHotstar app on your smartphone or tablet. The app works on Android and iOS devices. You can also watch on smart TVs and streaming devices. Both Star Movies and JioHotstar let you watch the full ceremony from start to finish.
Can I Watch the Academy Awards 2026 using the App?
Yes. The ABC app works on both iPhone and Android devices. Search for “ABC” in the App Store or Play Store. Download and install the app. Sign in with your TV provider credentials to start watching.
All major streaming services have their own apps too. Download the app for your streaming service. Sign in and watch the Oscars on any compatible device.
The Hulu app streams the ceremony live on all platforms. This includes phones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices.
How to Stream the Ceremony live from anywhere?
A VPN helps you watch the Oscars from anywhere in the world. Geo-restrictions might block access to certain streaming services outside their normal area. A VPN solves this problem.
Connect to a VPN server in the country where your streaming service works. The service thinks you’re in that country. You get full access to the stream.
A Hulu subscriber traveling abroad can connect to a US VPN server. This lets them watch Hulu as if they were home in the United States.
Our Quick Guide to Watch Academy Awards from any location:
- Get ExpressVPN
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Go to fuboTV and select a plan
- Live stream the Oscars 2026 free!
N.B: You need to use a valid USA postal code (e.g., 10012, 48104)
Ways to Watch Oscars Live Stream free
Free trials make it possible to watch the Oscars without paying. YouTube TV offers the longest trial at 21 days for new subscribers. FuboTV provides 5 to 7 days. DIRECTV Stream gives 5 days. Hulu + Live TV offers 3 days.
These trials give you full access to all features. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to continue. You need to provide a payment method when signing up.
Free options exist in some countries. UK viewers watch free on ITV1 or ITVX. Australian viewers use Channel 7 or 7Plus at no cost.
A VPN lets you access these free international streams from other countries. Connect to a UK or Australian server and visit the streaming site. Popular VPN services include ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
Stay away from illegal streaming sites. Websites like crackstreams, buffstream, and Stream2Watch carry risks. These sites often have viruses and malware. They also violate copyright laws. Stick with official streaming services for a safe viewing experience.
Can I Watch the Oscars livestream on Reddit?
Some Reddit users share streaming links. Be very careful with these links. Many are unsafe and could harm your device.
Read the comments before clicking any link. Subreddits with lots of negative comments should be avoided. Look for communities with good reputations.
Search Reddit for terms like “Oscars stream Reddit” or “Reddit Oscars 2026.” Official streaming services remain the safer and better choice.
Oscars 2026 Red Carpet live stream Guide
Red carpet coverage starts 60 to 90 minutes before the main ceremony. ABC News presents “On The Red Carpet at the Oscars” on its owned stations and affiliates. The coverage also streams on ABC News Live.
Amelia Dimoldenberg returns for her third year as social media ambassador and red carpet correspondent. She’ll interview stars and share exclusive content on the Oscars’ social media channels.
Any streaming service that includes ABC will show the red carpet coverage. New users can often get free trials. Install the ABC app or your streaming service app to watch on mobile devices.
How to Watch Academy Awards 2026 FAQs:
Can I watch the Oscars on my phone or tablet?
Sure thing. Grab the ABC app from your phone’s app store. You’ll need to log in with your TV provider info. Most streaming services have apps too. YouTube TV, Hulu, FuboTV, and DIRECTV Stream all work great on mobile devices.
Will the Oscars be available after it airs?
Absolutely. Hulu usually has the full show up the next day. You can also catch it on ABC.com if you have cable login. The Oscars YouTube channel posts all the big moments and winner speeches pretty quickly.
Do I need cable to watch?
Nope. An antenna picks up ABC for free. Streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu carry ABC too. Most of them let new users try it free first. People outside the US can use ITV or Channel 7 for free.
Can I watch in 4K?
Some services have 4K. YouTube TV charges $9.99 extra per month for their 4K option. FuboTV Elite comes with 4K included. Just check with your service first since not everyone streams ABC in 4K yet.
What if I tune in late?
No worries. Most streaming services let you rewind to the start. YouTube TV and Hulu give you unlimited DVR space. FuboTV does too. You can pause and go back anytime during the live show.
Can I watch from another country?
Yeah. Get a VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Pick a US server to watch ABC. Or choose UK or Australia servers for their free options. Pretty straightforward once you’re connected.
How long is the show?
Plan for about three and a half hours. Starts at 7 PM Eastern time. Usually wraps up around 10:30 PM. Sometimes runs longer if there are extra speeches or surprises.