Oscars 2026 refers to the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, broadcasting live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The show airs on ABC and streams across multiple platforms, with coverage reaching over 200 territories worldwide. Whether you have cable, a smart TV antenna, or just a streaming subscription, there’s a way to watch — and some options won’t cost you a thing.
TL;DR: The Oscars 2026 air on ABC on March 15 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. You can watch free over-the-air on local ABC stations or via Hulu, YouTube TV, DirecTV, FuboTV, or Sling TV Blue. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners leads with a record 16 nominations.
When does Oscars 2026 start and what time is the red carpet?
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 p.m. PDT / 11:00 p.m. GMT on March 15, 2026, hosted by Conan O’Brien. Red carpet and pre-show coverage kicks off much earlier, at 3:00 p.m. EDT / 12:00 p.m. PDT, giving fans hours of arrivals before the first award is handed out.
That earlier main show start time — 7:00 p.m. EDT — is new this year, a shift from the traditional 8:00 p.m. slot. If you’re watching from the UK or Europe, the 11:00 p.m. GMT start means a late night. Viewers in Asia and the Pacific should check local listings, as the ceremony is distributed across more than 200 territories.
How to watch Oscars 2026 for free
The cheapest way to watch Oscars 2026 is entirely free: tune in over-the-air on your local ABC affiliate using a standard TV antenna. No subscription, no login, no cost. This works across the US wherever ABC has a local broadcast signal, which covers the vast majority of the country.
If you don’t own an antenna or your TV isn’t set up for over-the-air reception, ABC.com streams the ceremony live — but you’ll need a cable or satellite provider login to access it. No login, no stream. That’s the catch that pushes most cord-cutters toward a paid streaming option instead.
Which streaming services carry Oscars 2026?
Hulu is streaming Oscars 2026 live on its base plan for the first time, making it one of the most accessible options for existing subscribers. Beyond Hulu, the ceremony is available on Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, and FuboTV — most of which offer free trials that could let you watch the entire ceremony without paying.
Sling TV’s Blue plan also includes ABC, but with an important caveat: ABC availability on Sling is limited to select markets only. Before signing up for Sling specifically to watch the Oscars, verify that ABC is available in your area. Starting at $55 per month, it’s not a cheap mistake to make if your market isn’t covered.
DirecTV’s MyNews Genre Pack is priced at $34.99 per month for the first two months for new subscribers, rising to $39.99 per month after that, and includes ABC. That promotional rate is new-subscriber only and time-limited, so it won’t apply if you’re an existing customer. Of the paid options, the free trials on Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, and FuboTV represent the best short-term value for one-night viewers.
What makes Oscars 2026 worth watching this year?
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners enters the 98th Academy Awards with 16 nominations — a record for most Oscar nominations by a single film. That alone makes this ceremony worth staying up for. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is also among the leading contenders, setting up what looks like a genuinely competitive Best Picture race.
Beyond the major categories, this year’s ceremony introduces a brand new Oscar: Best Casting. It’s the first new competitive category added to the Academy Awards in years, and it recognises a craft that has shaped countless beloved films without ever receiving formal recognition. Expected on the red carpet are Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, and Emma Stone, among others.
Compared to recent ceremonies that leaned heavily on legacy nominees, the 2026 field feels fresher. Sinners in particular represents a major studio genre film breaking through in categories that typically favour quieter prestige dramas — a dynamic that hasn’t played out quite this way in recent memory.
Is Oscars 2026 available to watch outside the US?
Yes. The 98th Academy Awards broadcast in over 200 territories worldwide. International viewers should check local listings for their regional broadcaster, as rights vary by country. The Academy’s official channels — including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook — will carry supplementary coverage around the ceremony, though the full broadcast itself requires a regional rights-holding broadcaster or streaming partner.
What channel is the Oscars 2026 on?
The Oscars 2026 air on ABC in the United States. You can watch live on ABC over-the-air for free, via ABC.com with a cable login, or through streaming services including Hulu, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, FuboTV, and Sling TV Blue in select markets. The ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT on March 15, 2026.
Does Hulu have a free trial for the Oscars?
Hulu Live TV has offered free trials in the past, and free trials are available on several services carrying Oscars 2026, including YouTube TV, DirecTV, and FuboTV. Check each service’s current offer before signing up, as trial availability and length can change. The Hulu base plan streams the Oscars live this year for the first time, which may already be included if you’re an existing subscriber.
Who is hosting the Oscars 2026?
Conan O’Brien is hosting the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. The ceremony takes place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the main show starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT and red carpet coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
With a record-breaking nominee in Sinners, a new casting category making its debut, and genuine competition across the major awards, the 98th Academy Awards has more reason to watch live than most recent ceremonies. Pick your platform, set your reminder for 3:00 p.m. EDT if you want the red carpet, and have a backup plan — free over-the-air ABC remains the simplest and cheapest option for US viewers, while international audiences should lock in their local broadcaster now.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
