how can i watch the oscars
You have a bunch of options for how to watch the Oscars in 2026, depending on where you live and whether you have cable or just streaming.
In the US
- Traditional TV (easiest) :
- Watch live on ABC via regular cable/satellite. The broadcast starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
* If you have an antenna, you can usually pick up ABC over the air for free if you’re in range.
- ABC app and website :
- Stream the show live on ABC.com or the ABC app by signing in with your TV provider (cable, satellite, or an eligible live-TV streaming service).
- Hulu :
- The ceremony is streaming live on Hulu; current coverage notes that you can watch via regular Hulu in 2026 without needing the more expensive Live TV tier.
- Live TV streaming services (if you cut the cord):
- Services that carry ABC and will show the Oscars live include:
- Hulu + Live TV
- Services that carry ABC and will show the Oscars live include:
* YouTube TV
* DirecTV Stream / AT&T TV
* FuboTV
* Most of these offer free trials for new users, so you can sign up right before the show, watch, then cancel if you don’t want to keep it.
- Next‑day streaming :
- The ceremony will also be available to stream the next day (March 16, 2026) if you miss the live broadcast.
Quick view (US options)
| Method | What you need | Cost note |
|---|---|---|
| ABC on cable/satellite | ABC in your TV package | Included with regular TV bill |
| ABC over-the-air | Digital antenna | Free after antenna purchase |
| ABC app / ABC.com | TV provider login | No extra cost if you already pay for TV |
| Hulu | Hulu subscription | Included; no Live TV add‑on required in 2026 |
| Hulu + Live TV | Live TV plan | Paid, sometimes with free trial |
| YouTube TV | YouTube TV subscription | Paid, often with trial offers |
| DirecTV Stream / AT&T TV | DirecTV Stream account | Paid, 5‑day trial common |
| FuboTV | FuboTV subscription | Paid, usually has a free trial |
Outside the US
- The Academy Awards are carried in more than 200 territories; exact channels depend on your country, but local listings will show the broadcaster that carries the Oscars where you live.
- Several countries have free streaming platforms that will show the Oscars live:
- Australia: 7Plus
* Ireland: RTÉ Player
* UK: ITVX
- These services are geo‑restricted, so you normally need to be in those countries or use location‑appropriate access; some guides suggest VPNs, but you should always check terms of service and local law before doing that.
Quick view (international streaming)
| Country | Platform | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 7Plus | Streams Oscars live for free within Australia |
| Ireland | RTÉ Player | Free live stream in Ireland |
| UK | ITVX | Free live stream in the UK |
| Other regions | Local broadcaster | Check local TV listings for your territory |
Free or almost‑free strategies
If your goal is to pay little or nothing:
- Use a digital antenna to get ABC over the air if you are in the US and within range.
- If you do not have cable, sign up for a free trial of a live-TV streaming service that carries ABC (e.g., YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV), then cancel afterward.
- If you are in Australia, Ireland, or the UK, use the official free platforms (7Plus, RTÉ Player, ITVX).
A bit of “forum” flavor
People online often trade tips like:
“I signed up for a free trial on a live‑TV service 30 minutes before the show and cancelled the next day. Worked perfectly and I didn’t pay a cent.”
Others argue it is more fun to make an evening of it with friends, snacks, and a single shared subscription or antenna instead of juggling logins and trials.
TL;DR: In 2026, the Oscars air on ABC at 7 p.m. ET and are viewable via ABC (cable or antenna), ABC’s app/site with a TV login, Hulu, and live‑TV streamers like YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream/AT&T TV, and FuboTV in the US, plus free services like 7Plus, RTÉ Player, and ITVX in some countries.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.