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As the clock strikes 7 P.M. EST and 4 P.M. PST, the spotlight will shine brightly on Los Angeles, marking the start of the Academy Awards. The nominees, presenters, and guests will begin the glamorous event in the late afternoon, setting the stage for a memorable evening.
Brianna Bryson/Getty Images
This year’s Oscars ceremony will be broadcast on ABC, so make sure to catch all the action as it unfolds. ABC is also offering a special red-carpet segment, hosted by Lara Spencer, Whit Johnson, and Linsey Davis, among others. The channel promises extensive coverage throughout the week leading up to Hollywood’s biggest night, as confirmed by the official website.
What time do the Oscars start?
For those who prefer streaming, Hulu subscribers can watch the ceremony through ABC’s service. YouTube TV users aren’t left out either, as they can access the live TV feature to enjoy the event.
Wondering who can attend the Oscars? Unless you’re a nominee, an industry insider, or perhaps closely acquainted with the likes of Jack Nicholson or Leonardo DiCaprio, your chances might be slim. Although volunteering as a seat filler is an option, those positions have long been snapped up, given the proximity to the ceremony.
What channel are the Oscars on?
The 2026 Academy Awards will once again be hosted by Conan O’Brien, the comedian and former late-night show host whose wit and charm won over audiences during his 2025 hosting debut. After receiving glowing reviews, O’Brien was quick to accept another stint on the Oscars stage. In an interview with The New Yorker‘s editor-in-chief David Remnick, O’Brien hinted at embracing a bit of unpredictability, quipping that while he doesn’t wish to be slapped like Chris Rock was by Will Smith in 2022, he wouldn’t mind a surprise twist.
“I’d like a streaker,” O’Brien humorously suggested, recalling Robert Opel’s infamous nude dash during the 1974 Oscars. “And you know what I’d really like? A streaker to slap me. That would just satisfy so many of my dormant Catholic hangups.” Despite the playful banter, O’Brien emphasized his readiness for unexpected moments, stating, “I like to plan, and I like to prepare. And then I love it when something goes off the rails.” Only time will tell if O’Brien’s second hosting appearance will feature any wild and unplanned surprises.
How to stream the Oscars without cable
If you’re a Hulu subscriber, the ceremony will stream on ABC’s service. YouTube TV subscribers can also watch the ceremony through that service’s live TV function.
Can you attend the 2026 Academy Awards?
No — you have to be a nominee, in the industry, or maybe friends with Jack Nicholson or Leonardo DiCaprio. You can work as a seat filler, but with just a few days to go until the ceremony, those seats are already filled.
Who is hosting the Oscars?
Comedian, former late-night host, and current podcast guy Conan O’Brien is set to host the 2026 Academy Awards, which is great news for people who loved his hosting debut during the 2025 ceremony. (He accepted the second gig shortly after getting rave reviews for his hosting duties, including a very funny ditty about not “wasting time” that included a cadre of backup dancers.) O’Brien has remained tight-lipped about specifics, but in an interview with The New Yorker editor-in-chief David Remnick, he did say he might welcome some chaos, joking that he doesn’t want anyone to “slap him” (like Will Smith did to Chris Rock in 2022) but would like something different.
“I’d like a streaker,” O’Brien said, referencing Robert Opel’s nude run through the 1974 ceremony. “And you know what I’d really like? A streaker to slap me. That would just satisfy so many of my dormant Catholic hangups.” Still, O’Brien did say, jokes aside, that he can roll with any punches. “But it’s a weird duality here. It’s a weird thing,” he admitted. “I like to plan, and I like to prepare. And then I love it when something goes off the rails.” We’ll have to see if anything wild and unplanned happens during O’Brien’s second hosting gig.
Who is performing and presenting at the Oscars?
Two nominees for best original song will be performed at the 2026 Oscars: “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” and “I Lied to You” from “Sinners.” EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who voice the fictional girl group HUNTR/X in the hit animated Netflix movie (which is also nominated for best animated feature), will perform the Billboard smash. “Sinners” star Miles Caton will play and perform the showstopper “I Lied To You” alongside blues legend Buddy Guy (who plays an older version of Caton’s character in the film), Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard, and Misty Copeland, Eric Gales, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey, and Alice Smith.
As for the presenters, you can expect last year’s quartet of acting winners Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña — who won best actor, best actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress, respectively — to give out the big four awards of the night. (Traditionally, they swap genders; Brody will present best actress, Madison best actor, Culkin supporting actress, and Saldaña supporting actor.) Other presenters include Will Arnett, Javier Bardem, Anne Hathaway, Chase Infiniti, Kumail Nanjiani, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Maya Rudolph, to name a few.
Is anything new happening at the 2026 Oscars?
Yes, actually — there’s a brand new category at the 2026 Oscars! For the first time in Academy history, casting directors will be honored for their work. The nominees include Gabriel Domingues for “The Secret Agent,” Nina Gold for “Hamnet,” Cassandra Kulukundis for “One Battle After Another,” Francine Maisler for “Sinners,” and Jennifer Venditti for “Marty Supreme.”
In an interview with IndieWire, showrunner and executive producer Raj Kapoor and his fellow executive producer Katy Mullan said that they’re bringing back what they call the “Fab Five format” to present best casting, meaning that five people will discuss each nominee’s outstanding work. (This will only be used for the new casting Oscar.) “We really wanted to have the narrative of how important casting directors are to the film community, and so we are going to have five individual stories, all with different viewpoints,” Kapoor revealed.
The two also promised some potential surprises. “There’s going to be some really brilliant cameos. There’s going to be some stars that you might not want to expect that probably wouldn’t come in unless it was Conan,” Mullan told the outlet. “There are surprises that are still coming into us every day where we’re like, ‘Oh my God, that idea maybe trumps another one’ because it’s just so great.”
Here are some key 2026 Oscar nominees
When it comes to the biggest races of the night, here are the key nominees to watch. We’ll update this list and identify the winners as the ceremony airs.
Best Picture
- “Bugonia”
- “F1”
- “Frankenstein”
- “Hamnet”
- “Marty Supreme”
- “One Battle After Another”
- “The Secret Agent”
- “Sentimental Value”
- “Sinners”
- “Train Dreams”
Best Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
- Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
- Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
- Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
- Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
Best Actor
- Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
- Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
- Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”
- Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
- Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
Best Actress
- Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
- Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
- Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”
- Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
- Emma Stone, “Bugonia”
Best Supporting Actor
- Benicio del Toro, “One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
- Delroy Lindo, “Sinners”
- Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”
- Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”
Best Supporting Actress
- Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value”
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”
- Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
- Wumni Mosaku, “Sinners”
- Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”
Where are the Oscars held?
Ever since the Dolby Theatre opened in Los Angeles on the city’s famous Hollywood Boulevard in 2001, it’s been the default venue for the Academy Awards. This year is no exception, and the stars will flock to the Dolby once again.
Once again, the 2026 Oscars will air on ABC and Hulu at 7 P.M. EST on Sunday, March 15.
