Don’t Want to Sign Up for Hulu? Where to Watch the 2026 Oscars Online for Free to See the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Performance & More
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Awards season is almost over, but first: the 2026 Oscars. If you are trying to figure out where to watch the Academy Awards online tonight, what time the red carpet starts, and whether there is a way to stream ABC without defaulting straight to Hulu, you have a few solid options before Conan O’Brien and the stars of KPop Demon Hunters kick things off. The 98th Academy Awards air Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, live on ABC and streaming on Hulu for all subscribers.
There is also a little more reason than usual for last-minute viewers to tune in. O’Brien is back as host for the second year in a row, while the stars of KPop Demon Hunters will get a live “Golden” performance from EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, and several of the biggest races include titles and stars people will already know from the season’s final stretch, including Sinners, Hamnet and Sentimental Value, alongside nominees like Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone and Jessie Buckley, to name a few.
Hulu may be the official streaming home, but it is not the only route if you want to watch the Oscars live without cable. DirecTV, Fubo and Sling can all potentially get you there too — but the exact package matters, and in some cases, so does your ZIP code. That is the part worth paying attention to before you click into a last-minute free trial.
How Can I Watch the 2026 Academy Awards for Free Online?
The 2026 Oscars air on ABC, which means you can watch the ceremony live through a streaming service that carries your local ABC station. Hulu is also streaming the show live for all subscribers, but if you do not want to sign up there, services like DirecTV, Fubo and Sling may also work depending on your location and the package you choose.
Best Overall Pick to Watch the 2026 Oscars for Free: DirecTV
Best Budget Pick to Watch the Oscars: Fubo
Best Pick for Free Red Carpet Coverage: Sling
Best Official Streaming Pick for the 2026 Oscars: Hulu
BEST OVERALL PICK
DirecTV Stream
– 5-day Free Trial
– Includes ABC, local networks, and 90+ channels
– Entry-level Entertainment Plan includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN
DirecTV is the best overall pick if you want to watch the 2026 Oscars without directly signing up for Hulu. The service is currently promoting a 5-day free trial, and its package page says local channels like ABC are included where available. Its entry-level Entertainment plan — which is usually $89.99 but is $5 off for the first month — makes it one of the cleaner last-minute options for readers who want a straightforward way to stream the ceremony live.
How to watch the 2026 Oscars with DirecTV’s free trial:
- Visit DirecTV’s packages page
- Click “Start Free Trial”
- Choose the Entertainment plan or another package
- Enter your payment information
- Search for ABC and begin watching the Oscars live
Fubo is the strongest backup option if DirecTV is not your first choice. Fubo says ABC streaming is available with a free trial, though local channel availability still depends on your market. It is a reasonable last-minute alternative, but readers should confirm that ABC is offered in their ZIP code before signing up.
How to watch the 2026 Oscars on Fubo:
- Visit Fubo’s sign-up page
- Start the free trial if available
- Enter your information and payment method
- Confirm ABC is available in your area
- Open the channel and start watching live
BEST PICK FOR FREE RED CARPET COVERAGE
Sling TV
– No Free Trial
– 2026 Oscars Red Carpet available for free on Sling Freestream
– ABC is usually only available on Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue in select major markets.
Sling TV is the one to approach with a little more caution. ABC access depends on where you live, and Sling’s own plan details say local channels like ABC are not included with Sling Orange, while Sling Blue ($45.99 a month) and Sling Orange & Blue ($29.99 for the first month, $60.99 after first month) may include ABC only in select markets. That makes Sling less useful for guaranteed access to the full Oscars ceremony. But Sling does currently offer free red carpet coverage through ABC News Live, so it is still a helpful option for readers who mainly want to watch the arrivals.
How to watch the 2026 Oscars on Sling:
- Visit Sling’s site
- Choose Sling Blue or Sling Orange & Blue
- Confirm ABC is available in your area
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for ABC and start watching the Oscars live, if available in your market
If your main goal is just catching the arrivals, Sling also offers free red carpet coverage through ABC News Live with On the Red Carpet at the Oscars.
BEST OFFICIAL STREAMING PICK
Hulu+ With Live TV
– 3-Day Free Trial
– Don’t need to upgrade to Hulu+ With Live TV if you’re currently a subscriber; all Hulu subscribers get to watch the awards show live.
Hulu is the best official streaming pick because the 2026 Academy Awards will stream live for anyone who already has a Hulu subscription, so there is no need to upgrade to Hulu + Live TV just to watch the ceremony. Hulu + Live TV only becomes relevant if you are not currently subscribed and want to use a free trial, since that is the only Hulu tier that currently offers one for eligible new subscribers.
How to watch the 2026 Oscars on Hulu:
- Visit Hulu’s sign-up page
- Start a free trial of Hulu + Live TV
- Create your account and enter payment information
- Open Hulu at showtime and stream the Oscars live
What Time Are the 2026 Academy Awards?
The 2026 Academy Awards begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, March 15. For anyone planning their whole evening around the arrivals too, On the Red Carpet at the Oscars begins at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT, and the official live red carpet show starts at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.
Who Is Hosting?
Conan O’Brien is hosting the 98th Academy Awards, marking his second year in a row leading the ceremony.
Who Is Performing?
One of the night’s biggest live-TV draws is the KPop Demon Hunters performance, with EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami set to perform the Oscar-nominated “Golden” during the ceremony. The show will also include a Sinners performance built around “I Lied To You” from Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq, along with appearances from Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Do I Need Cable to Watch the 2026 Oscars Ceremony?
No. You do not need cable to watch the 2026 Oscars, but you do need access to ABC or Hulu. Disney’s official Oscars guide says the ceremony airs live on ABC and streams live on Hulu, while services like DirecTV, Fubo and Sling may also work depending on the package and your local channel availability.
Before you go, click here to see more of the most shocking Oscars moments.