By Fransiska Frederika 
The 98th Academy Awards are set to take place this evening, Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking the pinnacle of the Hollywood awards season with a ceremony that promises a blend of traditional cinematic grandeur and modern digital accessibility. Emanating from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, the broadcast is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT), with the red carpet festivities commencing several hours prior. As the film industry grapples with shifting viewership habits, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in partnership with ABC, has expanded its digital footprint, offering multiple avenues for audiences to stream the ceremony live, including options for those seeking to watch without a traditional cable subscription.
The 98th Academy Awards: Event Overview and Hosting
For the second consecutive year, veteran late-night host Conan O’Brien will take the stage as the master of ceremonies. O’Brien’s return follows a highly praised performance at the 97th Oscars, where his brand of self-deprecating humor and seasoned improvisational skills were credited with stabilizing the telecast’s ratings. The decision to retain O’Brien reflects the Academy’s desire for a "safe pair of hands" who can appeal to both older linear television viewers and younger demographic groups familiar with his extensive digital and podcasting presence.
The 2026 ceremony arrives at a transformative moment for the industry. While traditional blockbusters continue to dominate the global box office, the Best Picture race this year features a diverse array of narratives, from the high-stakes tension of Sinners to the intimate period drama of Hamnet and the critically acclaimed Sentimental Value. The presence of high-profile nominees such as Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, and Jessie Buckley ensures that the star power remains at a premium, potentially driving higher engagement across social media platforms.
Comprehensive Guide to Streaming the Oscars Online
With the decline of traditional cable, the primary question for many viewers is how to access the ABC broadcast via the internet. For the 2026 telecast, Disney has implemented a significant shift in its streaming strategy. Unlike previous years, where a "Hulu + Live TV" subscription was often a prerequisite for live access, the 98th Academy Awards will be available to stream live for all Hulu subscribers, regardless of their tier. This move is viewed by industry analysts as an attempt to maximize the "reach" of the Oscars and provide additional value to the Hulu base following the full integration of Disney+ and Hulu.
Primary Streaming Platforms and Free Trial Options
For viewers who do not currently subscribe to Hulu or cable, several over-the-top (OTT) streaming services provide access to local ABC affiliates. These services often offer free trials, allowing for a "free" viewing experience if the subscription is managed correctly.
- DirecTV Stream: Widely considered the most robust option for local channel access, DirecTV Stream currently offers a 5-day free trial. Its "Entertainment" package includes ABC in most major U.S. markets. This platform is frequently cited by consumer advocates for its high-bitrate streaming, which is essential for a visual spectacle like the Oscars.
- Fubo: Originally a sports-centric service, Fubo has expanded into a comprehensive cable alternative. It offers a 5-day free trial and includes ABC in its base "Pro" package. Viewers are encouraged to verify local affiliate availability via their ZIP code on the Fubo website prior to signing up.
- Sling TV: Sling presents a more complex option. ABC is only available in select markets (typically major metropolitan areas) through the "Sling Blue" or "Sling Orange & Blue" packages. Notably, Sling does not typically offer a traditional free trial, but it does provide "Sling Freestream," which will host the ABC News Live red carpet coverage at no cost.
- Hulu + Live TV: While the ceremony is on standard Hulu, the Live TV tier offers a 3-day free trial for eligible new users, providing the most "official" experience, including pre-show and post-show coverage that may not be available on the standard on-demand app.
Chronology of the Evening: Key Times and Programming
The Oscars are no longer a singular three-hour event but a multi-platform media "day." The following timeline outlines the key milestones for the evening of March 15, 2026:
- 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET: On the Red Carpet at the Oscars begins. This early coverage focuses on the technical preparations, arrival of early guests, and retrospective look-backs at the year in film.
- 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ET: The Official Oscars Red Carpet Show starts. This is the primary window for high-fashion arrivals and "mani-cam" moments, hosted by a rotating cast of entertainment journalists and stylists.
- 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET: The 98th Academy Awards main ceremony commences. The broadcast is expected to run approximately three to three-and-a-half hours.
- 10:30 p.m. ET (approx.): Post-show analysis and highlights begin across various news outlets and streaming platforms.
Musical Performances and Cultural Highlights
A significant draw for the 2026 telecast is the slate of musical performances, which have been curated to reflect the globalized nature of modern cinema. The centerpiece of the evening is expected to be the performance of "Golden," the Oscar-nominated song from the hit film KPop Demon Hunters. The performance will feature EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, marking a major milestone for K-Pop representation on the Academy stage.
Additionally, the ceremony will feature:
- Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq: Performing "I Lied To You" from the film Sinners.
- Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale: A scheduled tribute segment that is rumored to be part of the "In Memoriam" honors, though the Academy has kept specific details under wraps to maintain the emotional impact of the sequence.
Industry Context: The Stakes for the Academy and ABC
The 2026 Oscars arrive at a time of cautious optimism for the film industry. Following years of pandemic-related disruptions and labor strikes, the 2025-2026 film cycle saw a return to consistent production schedules and robust theatrical windows. The nominations of films like Hamnet and Sentimental Value suggest a resurgence of mid-budget adult dramas, which had previously been overshadowed by franchise filmmaking.
From a broadcasting perspective, the 98th Oscars are a critical test for ABC. Live events remain the last bastion of high-value advertising in the linear TV world. By allowing the show to stream on Hulu for all subscribers, Disney is effectively sacrificing some potential "Live TV" upsells in exchange for a massive boost in total viewership numbers—a metric that is increasingly vital for justifying advertising rates.
Analysis of the Nominees and Potential Upsets
As the curtain rises, the awards landscape remains highly competitive. Mikey Madison, whose appearance at the 97th Oscars garnered significant attention, remains a focal point of the evening’s narrative, representing the "new guard" of Hollywood. The Best Actor race between Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) and Timothée Chalamet is one of the most discussed matchups in recent years, pitting two of the industry’s most bankable and critically respected young leads against each other.
Furthermore, the "Barbenheimer" effect of previous years has evolved into a broader appreciation for "prestige genre" films. Sinners, a film that blends traditional genre elements with high-concept social commentary, is a frontrunner in several technical categories, signaling the Academy’s continued willingness to embrace films that find both critical and commercial success.
Technical Requirements for Streaming
To ensure an uninterrupted viewing experience, technical experts recommend a minimum internet speed of 25 Mbps for 4K streaming or 10 Mbps for High Definition (HD). Because the Oscars are a live global event, server strain can occasionally lead to buffering on smaller platforms. Using established services like DirecTV Stream or the official Hulu app is generally recommended for the most stable connection. Viewers using free trials are also advised to set up their accounts at least one hour before the 7:00 p.m. ET start time to navigate any two-factor authentication or app update requirements.
The 98th Academy Awards represent more than just a trophy presentation; they are a sophisticated logistical achievement and a bellwether for the future of entertainment consumption. Whether watching via a traditional glass screen or a mobile device, the 2026 ceremony is poised to be one of the most accessible and digitally integrated events in the Academy’s near-century of history.