2026 Oscars: How to Watch the Red Carpet & Ceremony Online

The 98th Academy Awards are tonight, and if you’re planning to catch all the glamour before the ceremony even begins, there are several options for watching the red carpet coverage online. Both ABC and E! will be broadcasting live, offering extended pre-show coverage starting this afternoon, March 15th. Here’s a breakdown of how to tune in, whether you’re looking for a free livestream or prefer a specific streaming service.

When and Where to Watch

ABC’s red carpet programming kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET with On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a three-hour pre-show. This will be followed by The Oscars Red Carpet Show at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET, hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer. E!’s coverage begins even earlier, at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET with E! Live From the Red Carpet, a two-and-a-half-hour special, followed by Red Carpet Rundown at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET.

For those hoping to stream the red carpet action for free, a five-day free trial with DirecTV offers access to both ABC and E!. Alternatively, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV also carry both channels, providing additional streaming options.

Streaming Options Detailed

Let’s break down each streaming service and what they offer:

DirecTV: Offers access to both ABC and E! with any of its signature packages (Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier). The five-day free trial is a convenient way to watch the Oscars coverage without an immediate subscription commitment. Learn more about DirecTV plans here.
Fubo: Carries ABC, allowing you to stream the coverage. Fubo offers a five-day free trial, with plans starting at $45.99 per month after the trial period.
Sling: Both ABC and E! are available through Sling’s Blue Plan, which currently starts at $45.99 per month. Sling also offers an Orange & Blue plan, which is currently half off for the first month at $33. Explore Sling’s options here.
Hulu + Live TV: Provides access to both ABC and E! and includes Disney+ and ESPN+ in its package, starting at $89.99 per month. A three-day free trial is available.

Beyond the Red Carpet: The Ceremony Itself

While this guide focuses on the red carpet, it’s worth noting that the 2026 Oscars ceremony itself will also be streamed on ABC, and therefore available through the same streaming services mentioned above: DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. Hulu also offers the option to stream on Hulu on Disney+.

The 98th Academy Awards promise a night of celebration and recognition for the film industry. With multiple options for streaming the red carpet and the ceremony, fans can ensure they don’t miss a moment of the action. Whether you’re tuning in for the fashion, the interviews, or the awards themselves, tonight is set to be a memorable event.

For a comprehensive guide to the 2026 Oscars, including the full list of nominees, check out The Hollywood Reporter’s coverage.