how to watch oscars free

June 28, 2026

Watching the Oscars for free is possible through geo-specific streaming platforms, especially for the 98th Academy Awards airing today, March 15, 2026. International services like 7plus, RTÉ Player, and ITVX offer live streams without cost, often requiring a VPN for access outside those regions.

Free Streaming Options

Several platforms broadcast the Oscars live at no charge in select countries:

7plus (Australia) : Streams Channel 7's coverage starting 10 a.m. AEDT (Monday, March 16 local time), available live and on-demand.

RTÉ Player (Ireland) : Free live stream of the ceremony; create a free account to watch.

ITVX (UK) : ITV's free platform for UK viewers, with easy sign-up.

These are ad-supported but fully legal and high-quality for the 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT start.

US Viewers: Free Trials

No truly free ongoing US stream exists on ABC, but leverage trials:

Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream offer 3-5 day free trials covering ABC.

Platform| Free Trial Length| Key Notes
---|---|---
Hulu + Live TV| Varies (often 3 days)| First live Oscars stream in US 37
YouTube TV| Typically 7-14 days| Includes ABC, unlimited DVR 5
Fubo| 7 days| Sports-focused but has ABC 3
DirecTV Stream| 5 days| Starts at $89.99 post-trial 7

Using a VPN Worldwide

Unlock free streams from anywhere with these steps:

Choose a streaming-friendly VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN (many offer 30-day refunds).
Connect to Australia (for 7plus), Ireland (RTÉ), or UK (ITVX).
Sign up/log in and stream live—bypasses geo-blocks securely.

Pro Tip : Test VPN speed beforehand; NordVPN excels for lag-free HD.

Quick Legal Tips

Always use official platforms to avoid piracy risks. VPNs are legal for access but check service terms. For red carpet pre-shows, some platforms like E! or YouTube offer free snippets.

TL;DR : Best bet—VPN to 7plus or RTÉ for truly free, global access tonight.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.