You can stream the 2026 Oscars primarily through ABC and a handful of live‑TV streaming services, plus a few free options in certain countries.

When and where it’s on

  • The 2026 Oscars air live on ABC in the U.S. in the evening (7 p.m./4 p.m. PT window, same pattern as recent years).
  • ABC carries the show on its local broadcast channel, its website, and the ABC app (with TV provider login).

Easiest ways to stream in the U.S.

1. Watch directly on ABC

  • ABC.com or ABC app :
    • Go to ABC.com or open the ABC app on a supported device.
    • Sign in with a participating cable, satellite, or live‑TV streaming provider (Spectrum, Verizon, etc.).
* Once authenticated, you can stream the Oscars live on the ABC channel feed.
  • Over‑the‑air (no internet needed) :
    • If you have an HDTV antenna and are near a local ABC affiliate, you can watch over the air for free on your TV.

2. Use a live‑TV streaming service (no traditional cable)

Recent guidance for watching the 2026 ceremony points to these platforms:

  • Hulu + Live TV
  • YouTube TV
  • AT&T TV / DirecTV Stream
  • FuboTV

How it typically works:

  1. Sign up for one of the services above (many offer free trials for new users around big events)..
  1. Confirm that ABC is included in your local channel lineup (enter your ZIP code on the service’s site)..
  1. On show night, open the app and tune to ABC’s live channel.

Some official and media guides note that many of these services provide free trials or promo offers, making it possible to watch the Oscars without paying if you time it right.

Watching on Hulu itself

  • For the second year in a row, the Oscars ceremony is being streamed live on Hulu in the U.S., in addition to airing on ABC.
  • Hulu + Live TV also carries ABC as a regular live channel; you sign in and watch the ABC feed like normal live TV.

Free international streams (with or without VPN)

Some regions have free streaming rights for the Oscars:

  • Australia: 7Plus (Seven Network’s streaming platform).
  • Ireland: RTÉ Player.
  • UK: ITVX.

These platforms are region‑locked, so you normally need to be in those countries to watch. Guides aimed at global viewers suggest using a VPN with streaming‑optimized servers to access those free streams from abroad by virtually “appearing” in the right country. Always check local laws and each service’s terms of use before doing this.

Quick device checklist

Most of the options above work on:

  • Smart TVs (Roku TV, Samsung, LG, etc.)
  • Streaming sticks/boxes (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast)
  • Phones and tablets (iOS, Android)
  • Web browsers (laptops/desktops via site or web app)

Make sure you:

  • Have a stable internet connection (services commonly recommend around 3–7 Mbps minimum for HD).
  • Install the relevant app (ABC, Hulu, YouTube TV, etc.) and sign in ahead of time.
  • Test the stream before the red carpet starts so you’re not troubleshooting during the monologue.

One example “no‑cable” plan

Imagine you cut cable years ago and just want the Oscars this weekend:

  1. Sign up for YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV with a free trial (confirm ABC is included in your area).
  1. Install the app on your TV or streaming device and sign in.
  2. On Oscars night, open the app, go to the ABC channel, and watch live.
  3. Cancel the trial before it renews if you don’t want to keep the subscription.

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