what to watch the oscars on
You can watch the 2026 Oscars on ABC or stream them live on several major services, with Hulu being the headline option this year in the US.
Quick Scoop
When and where itās on
- The 98th Academy Awards take place Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- The ceremony starts at 7 p.m. Eastern / 4 p.m. Pacific, with red carpet coverage kicking off earlier in the afternoon.
- The show airs live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
What to watch the Oscars on (US)
If youāre in the United States, hereās what to watch the Oscars on this year:
- ABC (traditional TV)
- Tune in via your local ABC station if you have cable, satellite, or an antenna.
* You can also sign into ABC.com or the ABC app with a payāTV login to stream it live.
- Hulu (headline streaming option)
- The Oscars 2026 stream live on Hulu again this year, even on the basic subscription tier that normally doesnāt include live TV.
* Thereās an ongoing Disney+ + Hulu bundle promo around this time, advertised at a discounted monthly rate, aimed at people who want easy Oscar access.
- Live TV streaming services
- You can also watch on liveāTV streamers that carry ABC in many markets, such as:
- Hulu + Live TV
- You can also watch on liveāTV streamers that carry ABC in many markets, such as:
* YouTube TV
* AT&T/DirecTV Stream (often listed as AT&T TV or similar legacy branding)
* FuboTV
* These are popular forum recommendations for cordācutters who still want āreal timeā Oscars plus sports and other live events.
Watching outside the US
- The Oscars broadcast in more than 200 territories worldwide each year, with local networks picking up ABCās feed.
- In practice, that usually means:
- Major freeātoāair or premium movie/entertainment channels carry it live in your region.
- Local streaming services sometimes simulcast the same feed.
- Viewers on global forums often suggest checking your countryās main movie/entertainment network schedule or your cable/streaming EPG a week before the show.
Forum tip often shared: āSearch your country + āOscars broadcastā a few days before the show ā local outlets usually post where to watch once rights are finalized.ā
Cordācutters, deals, and āfreeā angles
Online discussion about āwhat to watch the Oscars onā in 2026 tends to focus on three angles: saving money, flexibility, and legality.
- Shortāterm streaming signāups
- Many people sign up for a month of Hulu or a liveāTV streamer that carries ABC, then cancel after the show.
* Promos like discounted Hulu/Disney+ bundles are pushed heavily right before Oscars weekend.
- Overātheāair (OTA) antenna
- If ABC is available over the air where you live, fans on tech and TV forums still say a simple antenna is the most reliable (and legal) āfreeā way to watch.
- Watching from abroad with security in mind
- Cyberāsafety sites warn against shady, popāup āfree Oscar streams,ā pointing out they can deliver malware or steal data.
* They advise sticking to official broadcasters, or if youāre traveling, using a reputable VPN to access your existing legal subscription rather than pirate streams.
Mini viewpoints from online chatter
From public forums and comment threads, here are a few recurring perspectives on what to watch the Oscars on:
- The traditionalists
- Prefer ABC on cable or antenna.
- Say thereās less lag, better reliability, and it āfeelsā more like an event night.
- The streamāitāall crowd
- Use Hulu or YouTube TV so they can watch on laptops, phones, and tablets anywhere in the house.
* Like that they can easily flip to Oscarānominated movies on the same platforms before or after the show.
- The securityāconscious travelers
- When out of their home country, they emphasize using a trusted VPN plus a legit service they already pay for instead of clicking random āwatch Oscars freeā links.
As one cybersecurity guide puts it, āThe safest way to watch the Oscars is through official broadcasters and reputable services, ideally with a secure connection if youāre on public WiāFi.ā
Quick reference: what to watch the Oscars on (2026)
| Option | Type | How you watch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC (US) | Broadcast / cable | Local ABC channel, ABC.com, ABC app with TV login | [5][1][3]Main US home of the Oscars; best for cable/antenna viewers | [3]
| Hulu | Streaming | Live stream of the Oscars, including on basic tier in 2026 | [7][1][5]Heavily marketed; often bundled with Disney+ at a discount around Oscars time | [7]
| Hulu + Live TV | Live TV streaming | Watch ABC live where available | [1][3]Popular cordācutting choice; includes other channels and sports | [2]
| YouTube TV | Live TV streaming | ABC live in supported markets | [1][3]Frequently recommended on forums for ease of use and free trials | [2]
| AT&T / DirecTV Stream | Live TV streaming | ABC live in many regions | [1][3]Option for those already in that ecosystem | [2]
| FuboTV | Live TV streaming | ABC live in select areas | [5][3][1]Sportsāfirst service that also carries big events like the Oscars | [5]
| International TV channels | Broadcast / cable | Local movie/entertainment networks in 200+ territories | [3][1]Check local listings or your providerās guide near the date | [8]
