The Oscars air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu, where every Hulu plan carries the Academy Awards ceremony in real time inside the Hulu app (not Disney+). If you do not have cable, you can also watch through any live TV service that includes your local ABC station, or pick up ABC for free with a digital antenna. This guide covers the current, legal ways to watch the Oscars live, what each one costs in 2026, the red carpet options, and when the next ceremony airs.
Last updated: July 2026. We checked each service’s ABC carriage and live Oscars availability in July 2026. Prices and free-trial terms change often, so confirm the current rate on the provider’s own signup page before you subscribe.
The Oscars Now Stream Live on Hulu
Hulu streams the Oscars live, which is the single biggest change for anyone without cable. Starting with the 2024 ceremony, ABC began simulcasting the Academy Awards on Hulu, so the show runs in real time inside the Hulu app at the same moment it airs on broadcast ABC. Before that, cord-cutters had no legitimate on-demand-service route to the live show.
Every Hulu plan carries the live ceremony, so you do not need the pricier Hulu + Live TV bundle just to watch. A standard Hulu on-demand plan starts at $11.99 per month with ads, or $18.99 per month ad-free, per Hulu’s own Oscars viewing guide. One clarification that trips people up: the live stream lives in the Hulu app, not on Disney+, even though the two share an owner. All you need is a Hulu account and an internet-connected device. Hulu subscribers can also replay the full ceremony on demand starting the next morning.
Watch the Oscars on ABC Without Cable
If Hulu’s on-demand app is not your preference, any live TV service that carries your local ABC affiliate will show the Oscars live. The catch is that ABC is a local broadcast station, so coverage depends on your zip code. Check that a service lists your ABC affiliate before you sign up. Here are the main options and their 2026 prices:
- Digital antenna (free): A one-time $20 to $40 antenna picks up your local ABC broadcast over the air at no monthly cost. This is the only genuinely free way to watch the full ceremony live every year.
- YouTube TV ($82.99/mo): Carries local ABC in nearly every US market and usually offers a free trial. It has the widest ABC coverage of the live bundles.
- Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/mo): Bundles live ABC with the Hulu on-demand library, Disney+ and ESPN, and includes a short free trial.
- Fubo ($85/mo, Pro plan): Strong local ABC coverage and a roughly week-long free trial, which can cover ceremony night at no cost if you cancel before it renews.
- DirecTV Stream ($90/mo): Carries local ABC in most markets and offers a five-day free trial.
- Sling Blue ($50.99/mo plus a broadcast fee): The cheapest live bundle, but ABC is available only in select markets and there is no free trial. Confirm ABC in your zip first.
For a fuller breakdown of these bundles beyond Oscar night, see our guide to how to watch live TV without cable in 2026. The cheapest reliable route to the live ceremony remains an antenna for free, or Hulu’s ad-supported plan at $11.99 per month.
The Red Carpet and Pre-Show
The red carpet runs for roughly two to three hours before the ceremony, and you have more than one way to watch it. ABC produces its own official pre-show that leads directly into the main broadcast, airing on ABC and streaming on Hulu alongside the ceremony. On a typical Oscar Sunday, ABC’s arrivals coverage begins in the afternoon and the network’s half-hour red carpet special starts around 6:30 p.m. ET, just before the 7 p.m. ET show.
E! runs its own separate red carpet program with a heavier fashion and interview focus, carried on the E! cable channel and its associated apps. If you only want the arrivals and gowns rather than the full three-hour ceremony, the E! coverage and ABC’s free pre-show clips are the lighter-weight options.
When Are the Oscars: Date and Time
The Oscars are held on a Sunday in late winter, almost always in early-to-mid March, and the ceremony starts at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). The Academy sets the date a year or more in advance, so the exact Sunday shifts slightly from year to year.
The next ceremony is the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, honoring films released in 2026. It airs live on ABC and streams on Hulu, with Conan O’Brien returning as host, according to the Academy’s official date announcement. Nominations are set to be revealed on January 21, 2027. Whichever year you are reading this, the live stream home stays the same: ABC on broadcast, Hulu for streaming, and your local ABC affiliate for free over the air.
Watching the Oscars From Outside the US
Outside the United States, the Oscars air on a local rights-holder rather than ABC or Hulu, and the broadcaster changes by country. In the UK the ceremony has typically aired via ITV and streamed on its ITVX service; in Canada it airs on CTV; in Australia coverage has run on the Seven Network and its 7plus streaming platform. The Academy licenses the show to broadcasters in more than 200 territories, so check your national listings for the local carrier.
If you are a US Hulu subscriber traveling abroad, your Hulu access is limited by region and the live feed may not follow you overseas. The reliable path when you are outside the country is whichever local broadcaster holds the rights in the country you are in. Avoid unofficial re-stream sites, which are unstable and frequently illegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Channel Are the Oscars On?
The Oscars air on ABC in the United States, broadcast through your local ABC affiliate station. The same live feed streams on Hulu.
Can I Stream the Oscars on Disney+?
No. The live Oscars stream is on Hulu, not Disney+, even though the two services share an owner. Open the Hulu app to watch the ceremony live.
How Can I Watch the Oscars for Free?
Connect a digital antenna to pick up your local ABC broadcast at no monthly cost. You can also use a free trial from Hulu + Live TV, Fubo or DirecTV Stream to cover ceremony night, then cancel before it renews.
What Time Do the Oscars Start?
The ceremony starts at 7 p.m. ET, which is 4 p.m. PT. ABC’s official red carpet special typically begins around 6:30 p.m. ET, with earlier arrivals coverage in the afternoon.
Can I Watch the Oscars Live on Hulu Without Cable?
Yes. Every Hulu plan streams the Oscars live, including the on-demand plan from $11.99 per month. You do not need cable or the Hulu + Live TV bundle to watch the ceremony live.