Oscars live-stream: How to watch the 2026 Academy Awards with or without cable, including free options

It’s time for the dazzling conclusion to the 2026 awards season. After the Hollywood elites walk the red carpet, the curtain will rise on the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, which is tonight.

The excitement will be palpable as the audience waits to learn who will take home a coveted Oscar. Here’s everything you need to know to fully enjoy the evening, including how to tune in.

Where does the 98th Academy Awards take place?

The location for this fabulous event is in Tinseltown, of course. More specifically, the ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Who’s hosting the 2026 Oscars?

Comedian and former late-night host Conan O’Brien will be guiding the audience through the evening.

This is his second consecutive year hosting Hollywood’s biggest night. It is a duty he takes very seriously. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that he has been doing several surprise stand-up sets to workshop his material ahead of the big night.

O’Brien will be supported by several presenters throughout the evening. As is tradition, last year’s acting award winners, Kieran Culkin, Zoe Saldaña, Adrien Brody, and Mikey Madison, will present in their respective categories.

Additionally, Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Will Arnett, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Javier Bardem, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Maya Rudolph, Chris Evans, and Chase Infiniti are all scheduled to appear.

Who is nominated for an Oscar?

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners made Oscar history this year by becoming the most nominated film ever with its 16 nods.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another scored 13. Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value each received nine nominations.

While no one can ever predict the future, this is an especially exciting year, because most of the major acting categories don’t feel set in stone.

Will Timothée Chalamet or Michael B. Jordan take home Best Actor? Will Amy Madigan, Teyana Taylor, or Wunmi Mosaku take home Best Supporting Actress? Only time can tell.

The category that seems safe to call is Best Actress, as Jessie Buckley has taken home every other major award for her performance in Hamnet. For a full list of nominees, visit the Oscars website.

Who’s performing at the 98th Academy Awards?

Since Oscar himself is a sparkling hue, it almost seems required that the nominated song “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters is sung live during the ceremony. Thankfully, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami are willing to make that happen.

Additionally, Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq will perform another nominated song, “I Lied to You,” from the film Sinners.

They will be joined by Misty Copeland, Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey, and Alice Smith.

No word if Chalamet approves of including a prominent ballerina after his now viral comments greatly offended the ballet and opera worlds.

Oscars In Memoriam

The Oscars In Memoriam is always a somber but important element of the broadcast.

This year feels especially heavy with the loss of Rob Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and many more.

What’s new for the 98th Academy Awards?

There’s a new category for the first time in 25 years at the Oscars. Casting directors are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

The inaugural nominees for the Achievement in Casting Oscar are Nina Gold (Hamnet), Jennifer Venditti (Marty Supreme), Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another), Gabriel Domingues (The Secret Agent), and Francine Maisler (Sinners). 

How to tune in for the red carpet arrivals

To see all your favorite looks, you have options. The official broadcast partner of the Oscars is ABC. This means all ABC-owned stations with air On The Red Carpet at the Oscars, beginning at  3:30 p.m. ET.

Lara Spencer, Whit Johnson, George Pennacchio, Joelle Garguilo, and Chris Connelly will help you count down the minutes until the main event.

Immediately following that programming is the official The Oscars Red Carpet Show at 6:30 p.m, hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer.

If you are in it for the fashion, E!’s coverage may be more your speed.

Hosted by Justin Sylvester and Keltie Knight, E!’s Brunch at the Oscars begins at 2 p.m. ET. It is followed by E!’s Live From The Red Carpet at 4 p.m. ET.

After the Oscar’s broadcast, tune back to E! for Red Carpet Rundown at 10:30 p.m. ET.

How to tune in for the 98th Academy Awards

And now for the main event, which begins at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu.

Traditional cable subscribers, Hulu subscribers, and those with over-the-air antennas are covered.

Remember that ABC is technically still free the old-fashioned way. Moreover, Hulu is offering free trials to eligible subscribers.

If you don’t fall into one of those three categories, consider adding a live-TV streaming service, such as YouTube TV, FuboTV, or DirecTV Stream into your entertainment viewing arsenal.

Just be sure to double check regional differences as not every channel is available in every area.

View the full article