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The 98th Oscars took place Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m. PDT, airing on ABC and streaming live on Hulu in the United States. The official red-carpet show began at 6:30 p.m. EDT. The ceremony has already happened, so check Hulu’s current listing before assuming a replay is still available.
This guide covers the U.S. broadcast and streaming options used for the 2026 ceremony. Viewing rights and services differ outside the United States.
When were the 2026 Oscars?
The 98th Academy Awards were held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The ceremony started at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 6 p.m. Central, 5 p.m. Mountain, 4 p.m. Pacific, 3 p.m. Alaska, and 1 p.m. Hawaii. On that date, Eastern time was EDT, not EST, because daylight saving time had begun.
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The Academy’s official red-carpet show started at 6:30 p.m. EDT / 3:30 p.m. PDT. That is the start time for the official pre-show, not necessarily for every outlet’s red-carpet coverage. See the Academy’s viewing guide and ABC’s 98th Oscars page for the event details.
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Where could viewers in the U.S. watch?
The ceremony aired live on ABC and streamed live on Hulu. The Academy also listed ABC.com and the ABC app as viewing options for people who authenticated with a participating TV provider. The ABC announcement confirmed the U.S. broadcast and streaming arrangement.
ABC over the air: a free option with an antenna
If you could receive your local ABC affiliate with an antenna, you could watch the broadcast without a streaming subscription. Reception depends on your location, antenna, and local station signal. Check the local affiliate’s coverage or a channel-availability tool for your address before relying on over-the-air reception.
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ABC.com or the ABC app: provider login required
ABC’s website and app were options for viewers with a qualifying TV-provider login. This is authenticated access, not a universally free online stream. A cable, satellite, or participating live-TV provider’s credentials may work, subject to the provider and market. A Hulu subscription should not be assumed to function as an ABC-provider login.
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Hulu was the official streaming home for the 2026 ceremony. Hulu’s 2026 Oscars guide said subscribers could stream the event live and that the full ceremony would be available on demand beginning Monday, March 16. That is a historical statement about the 2026 broadcast; it does not guarantee the replay remains in Hulu’s library now.
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Hulu’s 2026 guide described live access as available to Hulu subscribers. Because plan terms, event listings, and replay windows can change, check Hulu’s current Oscars listing and the terms for your account before subscribing. Do not assume an on-demand-only plan, Hulu + Live TV, and authenticated access to ABC are interchangeable.
How to watch without cable
- Try an antenna if your local ABC affiliate is available over the air. This is the no-monthly-subscription option, but reception is location-dependent.
- Check Hulu for the ceremony replay. Since the event has passed, first confirm that the replay is still listed and included with the plan you have or are considering.
- Consider a live-TV streaming service only if you want ongoing live television or need a local ABC feed for a future broadcast. Enter your ZIP code and confirm that the exact service and plan carry your local ABC station before paying. National channel lists do not guarantee local affiliate availability.
Services such as YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM may offer local channels in some markets, but ABC availability and package terms vary. They are generally a poor-value way to access a single ceremony that has already aired, particularly if its replay is no longer available. Check each service’s current local-channel listing rather than assuming ABC is included everywhere.
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Can you still watch the ceremony?
Hulu said the full ceremony would be available on demand starting March 16, 2026. Streaming libraries and replay windows can expire, so search Hulu for “Oscars” or “Academy Awards” and verify the event page before subscribing. If the replay is absent, that may mean the window has ended rather than that your app is malfunctioning. Avoid social feeds and news alerts if you plan to watch a replay without spoilers.
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ABC and Hulu were U.S. viewing options; they should not be treated as worldwide streams. The ceremony was distributed in more than 200 territories, but local broadcasters and platforms differed by country. Check the Academy’s official viewing information and local listings for your country. Do not rely on a U.S. subscription being available or authorized where you live.
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Troubleshooting common access problems
- Hulu only shows on-demand programming: Confirm the account and plan, search for the event listing, and check whether the replay window has expired. If the listing should be available, update or restart the app and try another supported device or browser.
- ABC asks you to sign in with a TV provider: That is expected for authenticated ABC access. Use credentials for a participating provider carrying your local ABC service.
- Your live-TV service does not show ABC: Check availability using your ZIP code and confirm the exact plan includes the local affiliate before subscribing. Local carriage can vary.
- You cannot find the live event tile: The ceremony is over, so the live tile may have disappeared. Look for an on-demand replay; its availability is not guaranteed indefinitely.
Web browsers, phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming players, and game consoles are common ways to access streaming services, but support differs by provider and device. Check the service’s current compatibility information if your device does not show the event.
ABC and the Academy have announced a future change in U.S. rights: the Oscars are planned to move to YouTube beginning in 2029. That does not change where the 2026 ceremony aired. See the Associated Press report for that later rights development.
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