How To Watch the Oscars 2026 Live on TV and Streaming

The 2026 Oscars are set to be one of the biggest live entertainment events of the year, and viewers in the United States are expected to have two main ways to watch: traditional broadcast TV and live streaming. The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, with the ceremony centered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

For most viewers, the easiest option is still ABC on cable, satellite, or an over-the-air antenna. Streaming is also expected to be available through Hulu, giving cord-cutters a direct way to watch the ceremony live.

When the Oscars 2026 Start

The Academy Awards typically air on Sunday evening in the U.S., with the main ceremony beginning in prime time. For U.S. viewers, that usually means:

• 7 p.m. ET

• 4 p.m. PT

Red carpet coverage usually begins earlier in the afternoon and continues into the evening, with pre-show interviews, fashion coverage, and arrivals from nominees and presenters.

Anyone planning to watch live should check their local ABC station listing on the day of the show, since start times for surrounding pre-show programming can vary by market.

Where To Watch on TV

ABC remains the primary home of the Oscars in the United States. That means viewers with a standard pay-TV package can tune in through their local ABC affiliate.

There are also a few simple ways to watch ABC without a full cable bundle:

• An indoor or outdoor antenna, if ABC is available in your area

• A live TV streaming package that carries local ABC stations

• A pay-TV login tied to a cable, satellite, or streaming provider

For households that still prefer the traditional big-screen setup, the antenna option is often the most direct way to watch the ceremony live without a subscription.

How To Stream the Oscars 2026

Streaming has become a bigger part of the Oscars viewing experience, and Hulu is expected to be a key platform again for live access in the U.S. That gives viewers a mainstream option beyond cable and makes the show easier to watch on phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and streaming sticks.

The most practical streaming paths are:

• Hulu, if the live stream is enabled for the event

• A live TV service that includes ABC

• The ABC app or site, where access is available through a participating TV provider login

Viewers who are relying on streaming should sign in early. Live awards shows can draw heavy traffic, and logging in before the red carpet begins can help avoid last-minute issues with passwords, app updates, or device compatibility.

Can You Watch the Oscars Without Cable?

Yes. For many viewers, there are now realistic cable-free options.

The simplest route is an antenna if your local ABC signal comes in clearly. That option does not require a monthly bill and is often the most reliable for a major live broadcast. Streaming is the other main route, whether through Hulu or a live TV platform that includes local broadcast channels.

The biggest thing to verify ahead of time is local availability. Not every streaming package carries every ABC affiliate in every market, so checking your ZIP code before the ceremony matters.

What International Viewers Should Know

Outside the United States, Oscars coverage usually depends on country-specific broadcast and streaming rights. That means the ceremony may air on a different network or platform in Canada, the U.K., Australia, and other markets.

International viewers should look for local listings from the official broadcaster in their country closer to the ceremony date. In some regions, the show is available through a dedicated entertainment channel, while in others it may appear on a major commercial broadcaster or a national streaming service.

Because rights can shift from one year to the next, the safest approach is to check the local schedule during Oscars week rather than assuming last year’s carrier is unchanged.

Best Way To Prepare Before the Show

For anyone planning an Oscars watch party or just trying to avoid technical problems, a few small checks can make a big difference. Confirm the channel or app in advance, update your streaming device, and make sure your login works before showtime.

The Oscars remain one of the few live events that still pull large real-time audiences, so delays and access problems are more noticeable than with on-demand shows. With ABC likely serving as the main TV home again and Hulu expected to be the easiest streaming option for many U.S. viewers, the 2026 ceremony should be widely accessible across both traditional and digital platforms.

As the show approaches, the final live-stream details, red carpet schedule, and local listings will give viewers the clearest picture of exactly where and when to tune in.