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The 98th Oscars, hosted for the second consecutive year by Conan O’Brien, air live on Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET, from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. Since the awards show is broadcast on ABC, cord-cutters can stream it live on any TV streaming service that carries the network, including DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Fubo (with a five-day free trial), Sling and Hulu + Live TV.
For the second year, the awards show will also stream live on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+, where the latter is offering one of its best promotions of the year: three months of Disney+ and Hulu for $4.99 per month (reg. $12.99 per month), a savings of 62 percent.
At a Glance: How to Watch the 98th Academy Awards
As for red carpet coverage, ABC’s pre-show, On The Red Carpet at the Oscars, begins at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET, streamable via DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Fubo (with a five-day free trial), Sling and Hulu + Live TV. Additionally, E!’s red carpet coverage begins at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET with E! Live From the Red Carpet, also streamable on any live TV streaming service that carries E!, including DirecTV, Sling and Hulu + Live TV.
While the easiest way to catch both the ceremony and all the red carpet coverage online for free is through DirecTV’s five-day trial period, The Hollywood Reporter is further outlining each streaming option ahead.
Where to Watch the Oscars 2026 for Free: Air Date and Time, Red Carpet Livestream
The 2026 Academy Awards air on ABC on Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET (and can be livestreamed with DirecTV, Fubo, Sling or Hulu + Live TV). Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ subscribers can also livestream the ceremony, however for both red carpet and ceremony coverage, the best option is a live TV streaming service that carries either ABC or E!, like DirecTV.
As mentioned, the ceremony is preceded by ABC’s pre-show, On The Red Carpet at the Oscars, beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET. E! has its own red carpet coverage, E! Live From the Red Carpet, beginning at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.
Since select streamers are offering free trials and limited-time discounts, viewers can catch the star-studded evening at no cost; learn more about each option below.
DirecTV
Five-day free trial; packages from $19.99 per month
ABC is included in any of DirecTV’s signature packages: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate and Premier. Plus, DirecTV is offering a five-day free trial for its streaming service, meaning new subscribers can catch the performance at no cost.
Learn more about each plan option, including how to build your own channel lineup (starting at just $19.99 per month), at directv.com.
Fubo
Five-day free trial; packages from $55.99 per month ($45.99 for first month)
Watch ABC with a subscription to Fubo, which offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers.
After the trial, plans start at $45.99 for the first month and $55.99 monthly afterward.
Hulu, Disney+ Bundle
New subscribers can stream the Oscars for free with a 30-day trial to Hulu’s ad-supported base plan, which regularly costs $11.99 per month. For the best bang for your buck, opt for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, regularly $12.99 per month for the ad-supported base plan, but through March 24, 62 percent off for the first three months.
Sling
Half off first month for select plans
ABC is included in Sling’s Blue Plan, starting at $45.99 per month.
For the best bang for your buck, opt for Sling’s Orange & Blue plan, which is currently half off for the first month: $33 for the first month and $65.99 monthly thereafter.
Hulu + Live TV
Three-day free trial; packages from $89.99 per month
Watch ABC and Hulu for free with a three-day trial to Hulu + Live TV, which comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, starting at $89.99 per month.
Oscar Nominations 2026
Sinners leads the 2026 Oscar nominations with a record-breaking 16. One Battle After Another has 13 nods, followed by Frankenstein, Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value with nine each. All five of those films are up for best picture, along with Bugonia, F1, Hamnet, The Secret Agent and Train Dreams.
See here for the full list of 2026 Oscar nominees.
Oscar Host 2026
Conan O’Brien will serve as host for the second consecutive year.
Oscar Presenters 2026
This year’s Oscar presenters include past winners, nominees and hosts, among them, last year’s acting winners, Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña. See here for the full list of presenters.
Oscar Performers 2026
The 2026 Oscars feature live performances from two of the Best Original Song nominees: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and “I Lied to You” from Sinners.
Oscar Winners 2026
THR will be updating the 2026 Oscar winners list live. Stay tuned.
