How to Watch the 2026 Oscars Live: Streaming, Start Time, and Red Carpet Guide

We don’t watch the Academy Awards for the well-paced editing or the brevity of the speeches. We watch for the inevitable hot-mic slip-ups, the "what was she thinking?" red carpet silhouettes, and that one B-list actor in the back row who clearly hit the Governor’s Ball open bar three hours too early.

The 98th Oscars are officially upon us this Sunday, March 15 and whether you’re rooting for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners to sweep the board or you’re just here to see if Conan O’Brien can survive his second year as host without a self-deprecating meltdown, you need a game plan.

In a world of fragmented streaming and "exclusive" broadcast rights, finding the right channel shouldn't be harder than sitting through a three-hour black-and-white indie film about a silent goat. Here is your definitive guide on how to watch the Oscars 2026 without throwing your remote at the wall.

The Main Event: ABC and the "Old School" Way

If you still have a dusty black box from a cable company or, god forbid, a literal antenna, your life is simple. The ceremony kicks off live from the Dolby Theatre at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on ABC. It’s the one night a year broadcast television pretends it’s still the king of the jungle. If you’re fancy and have a login, you can also authenticate via the ABC app or ABC.com, though we all know those servers have the stability of a Jenga tower during the Best Picture announcement.

The Streamers’ Paradise: Hulu Joins the Party

For the cord-cutters who haven't seen a local commercial in five years, Hulu is your best friend this year. Unlike the dark ages of 2024, the Oscars are streaming live for all Hulu subscribers. Whether you’re on the "ad-supported" tier (prepare for a lot of pharmaceutical ads) or the premium version, you can catch the glitz in real-time.

If you prefer the "Live TV" experience, platforms like YouTube TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream will carry the local ABC feed. Just make sure your Wi-Fi can handle the bandwidth, or you’ll be watching a pixelated blob accept the award for Best Cinematography.

The Red Carpet: The Real Reason We’re Here

The actual awards are fine, but the judgment begins much earlier. The Oscars Red Carpet Show starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu. If you want the deep-cut fashion critiques and the slightly awkward "who are you wearing?" interrogations, E! Entertainment starts their "Live From the Red Carpet" coverage at 4 p.m. ET. It’s essential viewing if you want to understand the memes on Twitter (X) three hours before they happen.

International Viewers: Godspeed

If you’re watching from the UK, grab the espresso, the show starts at 11 p.m. GMT on ITV1 and ITVX. Canadians can find the telecast on CTV, while our friends in Australia can catch the Monday morning hangover on Channel 7.

The Verdict

Whether you’re a cinema snob or a casual viewer who only recognized three of the nominated films, the 2026 Oscars promise enough chaos to make the four-hour runtime bearable. Set your DVR, chill the champagne, and pray the teleprompter doesn't fail.

Are you Team Sinners or are you holding out for a dark horse upset? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for our post-show roast of every single fashion disaster and awkward monologue.