The top deals for viewing the Oscars live without a cable connection:
BEST BUNDLE OFFER
Hulu and Disney+ with advertisements
$4.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month)
Get Deal
BEST LONG-TERM OPTION
Hulu with ads annual plan
$119.99/year (save $23.89)
Get Deal
BEST STUDENT OFFER
Hulu Student
$1.99/month (save $10/month)
Get Deal
GET HULU AT NO COST
Hulu with ads
Free for T-Mobile users (save $11.99/month)
Get Deal
BEST LIVE TV STREAMING OPTION
YouTube TV
Free 21-day trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months (save $46)
Get Deal
MOST AFFORDABLE LIVE TV STREAMING PLATFORM
Sling Select
$19.99/month
Get Deal
It’s been another remarkable year for films, and it’s time to recognize the most outstanding works. The 98th Oscars are just around the corner. On March 15, the Academy will celebrate the finest films of 2025 during Hollywood’s most significant evening. Conan O’Brien will host the event once more, and many beloved winners from previous years will present the night’s top honors.
We hope some of our favorites win the accolades they merit — One Battler After Another, Sinners, Hamnet, and more — but the competition is fierce. Curious to see who will receive the honors for Best Actress, Best Director, Best Picture, and other categories? Here are all the essential details you need to watch the 2026 Academy Awards live, whether you have cable or not.
When will the 2026 Oscars take place?
The 98th Academy Awards will occur at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15, 2026, airing live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu, with the pre-show beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Who are this year’s Oscar contenders?
Sinners tops this year’s nominations with an unprecedented 16 nods. Almost every category it could enter, it has. One Battle After Another is not far behind with 13, while Marty Supreme secured nine, and Hamnet received seven nominations.
Every year witnesses its share of both surprises and disappointments, and 2026 is no exception. For instance, we were quite shocked that Wicked: For Good walked away with no nominations at all. Our favorite melancholic star, Paul Mescal, newcomer Chase Infiniti, and Jesse Plemons also did not receive recognition from the Academy.
Check the FAQ section of this article for a complete list of the 2026 Oscar nominations.
How to watch the Oscars live without cable in 2026
For viewers with cable or over-the-air TV, you can easily watch by tuning in to your local ABC channel or stream online via ABC.com or the ABC app with your pay TV login. No cable? No problem: For the second consecutive year, the awards will also stream live on Hulu for subscribers.
Alternatively, you may consider subscribing to a live TV cable replacement service to watch the Oscars in real time. These platforms function similarly to cable, providing live access to a comprehensive channel lineup via your internet rather than traditional cable. They typically do not require contracts and often offer trials for you to explore. This means you could potentially watch the Oscars for free and cancel before incurring any charges. Here are the best options (and promotions) available for viewing.
Hulu streaming promotions
Hulu is one of the most accommodating (if not the most accommodating) streaming services, offering new and eligible returning subscribers a complimentary 30-day trial. This means you can easily sign up and view the Oscars at no cost during that period. If you don’t qualify for the free trial, we’ve also compiled several ways to lower your subscription cost.
Limited-time bundle offer: Save $8/month on three-month access to Hulu and Disney+
Until March 24, new subscribers can enjoy both Hulu and Disney+ with ads for just $4.99 per month for three months. Typically priced at $12.99 per month for the bundle, this saves you a total of $24 over three months. Only new and returning subscribers are eligible; current Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, and bundle subscribers cannot take advantage of this offer.
Best Hulu deal for most users: Save 16% on an annual Hulu (with ads) subscription
The most effective way to lower your Hulu subscription costs on any given day is to opt for an annual plan with ads. While you’ll experience some interruptions during your viewing and pay upfront, this route saves you 16 percent, or just under $24, throughout the year. An annual subscription costs $119.99 (or $9.99 per month).