The 98th Academy Awards arrive on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien returning as host for the second consecutive year. The ceremony airs live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, honoring the best films of 2025.
This watch guide with live stream covers everything you need to know about watching the Oscars live stream, from streaming options to red carpet coverage and this year’s top contenders.
Watch The Oscars Live Stream
Watch the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony live in the player below:
Connecting to stream arbitration server...
๐ 98th Oscars Quick Facts
- Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Time: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
- Host: Conan O’Brien
- Network: ABC
- Venue: Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
- Nominations: January 22, 2026
๐บ Watch on Cable/Satellite
- ABC (check local listings)
- Available via all cable providers
- DirecTV, Dish Network, Xfinity
- Free with antenna (OTA)
๐ป Streaming Options
- Hulu + Live TV: $82.99/mo
- YouTube TV: $72.99/mo
- FuboTV: $79.99/mo
- DirecTV Stream: $79.99/mo
How To Watch The 2026 Oscars
The Academy Awards broadcast exclusively on ABC in the United States. Cord-cutters have several options to stream the ceremony live without cable. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream all include ABC in their channel lineups. Many offer free trial periods for new subscribers.
The simplest free option remains a digital antenna. ABC broadcasts over the air in every major market, so a one-time antenna purchase provides free access to the Oscars and all ABC programming. For viewers who miss the live broadcast, ABC.com typically offers full replays the following day with cable authentication.
2026 Oscars Key Dates
The road to Oscar night follows a precise schedule. The Academy announced shortlists in 12 categories on December 16, 2025, narrowing the field before final nominations. Oscar nominations will be revealed on January 22, 2026, setting the stage for the final campaign stretch.
๐ 2026 Oscar Timeline
- Dec 16, 2025: Shortlists announced (12 categories)
- Jan 10-11, 2026: Nomination screening “bake-offs”
- Jan 12-16, 2026: Final nominations voting
- Jan 22, 2026: Nominations announced
- Mar 15, 2026: 98th Academy Awards ceremony
๐ฌ New For 2026
- Best Casting: Brand new category honoring casting directors for the first time in Oscar history
- AI Rules: New guidelines clarify that AI tools “neither help nor harm” chances, with human creative authorship as the key factor
- Conan Returns: After delivering the highest ratings in five years, O’Brien is back
2026 Best Picture Contenders
The 2026 Oscar race features a strong slate of contenders spanning epic dramas, literary adaptations, and ambitious auteur projects. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” has dominated critics’ awards and enters the ceremony as the clear frontrunner, though several films remain in serious contention.
๐ Top Contenders
- One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) – PTA’s political epic with Leonardo DiCaprio
- Sinners (Warner Bros.) – Ryan Coogler’s genre-bending thriller
- Hamnet (Focus Features) – Chloรฉ Zhao’s Shakespeare adaptation
- Wicked: For Good (Universal) – Musical sequel
๐ญ Strong Contenders
- Frankenstein (Netflix) – Guillermo del Toro with Oscar Isaac
- It Was Just an Accident (Neon) – Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner
- Sentimental Value (Neon) – Joachim Trier’s Cannes favorite
- Marty Supreme (A24) – Josh Safdie with Timothรฉe Chalamet
๐ Acting Frontrunners
- Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothรฉe Chalamet
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Supporting Actor: Benicio del Toro
- Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande, Teyana Taylor
Oscars Red Carpet Coverage
Red carpet coverage begins hours before the main ceremony. Multiple networks offer pre-show programming featuring celebrity arrivals, fashion commentary, and interviews with nominees. Here’s the full schedule for Oscar Sunday:
Watch Oscars Outside The US
The Academy Awards broadcast in more than 200 territories worldwide. International viewers should check local listings, as broadcast partners vary by country:
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom
Sky Cinema, Sky Showcase
๐จ๐ฆ Canada
CTV (live broadcast)
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
Channel 7, 7plus
๐ฉ๐ช Germany
ProSieben
Frequently Asked Questions
When Are The 2026 Oscars?
The 98th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ceremony begins at 7:00 PM Eastern / 4:00 PM Pacific and airs live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Who Is Hosting The 2026 Oscars?
Conan O’Brien returns as host for the second consecutive year. His 2025 hosting debut delivered a five-year ratings high with 19.69 million viewers, making his return a natural choice for the Academy.
When Are Oscar Nominations Announced?
Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Wednesday, January 22, 2026. Shortlists in 12 categories were revealed on December 16, 2025.
What Channel Are The Oscars On?
The Oscars air exclusively on ABC in the United States. The network holds broadcast rights through 2028, which will mark the 100th Academy Awards ceremony.
Can I Watch The Oscars For Free?
Yes. You can watch the Oscars free over-the-air with a digital antenna tuned to your local ABC station. Several live TV streaming services also offer free trials that include ABC access.
What Is The New Oscar Category For 2026?
The Academy introduced Best Casting as a new competitive category for the 98th Oscars. This marks the first time casting directors will be recognized with their own Oscar, acknowledging their essential role in bringing films to life.
This guide is updated throughout awards season with the latest Academy Awards broadcast information, nominations, and viewing details. Bookmark this page for Oscar night.