98th Academy Awards: Full Guide to Nominees, Hosts, Schedule and How to Watch the 2026 Oscars

On Sunday, March 15, the 98th Academy Awards will transform the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles into the epicenter of global cinema, celebrating the finest films released in 2025. Hosted by Emmy-winning comedian Conan O’Brien for a second consecutive year, Hollywood’s most prestigious night returns under the shadow of global tensions, including the ongoing war in Gaza, which adds a solemn tone to an otherwise glamorous evening. The ceremony, broadcast live on ABC at 4 p.m. PT (23:00 GMT), marks not only a celebration of artistic achievement but also the final Oscars to air on traditional television before the Academy Awards pivots decisively toward streaming in 2029.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know About the 2026 Oscars

• The 98th Academy Awards air March 15 at 4 p.m. PT from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Conan O’Brien.
• The ceremony will be broadcast on ABC in the U.S. and streamed live on Hulu; red carpet coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. PT.
• Sinners leads nominations with a record 16 nods, surpassing All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.
• The Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029, ending ABC’s 53-year broadcast partnership.
• Musical performances include Golden (from KPop Demon Hunters) and a tribute to Black artistry in Sinners, featuring artists like Misty Copeland, Brittany Howard, and Raphael Saadiq.

Where and When Will the 98th Oscars Take Place?

The 98th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, a venue synonymous with cinematic excellence since its opening in 2001. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with red carpet coverage starting at 3:30 p.m. PT. For international viewers, this corresponds to 23:00 GMT on March 15. The timing ensures prime-time viewing across U.S. time zones—7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT, and 5 p.m. MT—making it one of the most widely accessible awards shows in American television history.

How to Watch the 2026 Oscars Live: Broadcast and Streaming Options

In the United States, the Oscars will air live on ABC, the network that has carried the ceremony for nearly five decades. For cord-cutters, live streaming is available via the ABC app and ABC.com, accessible with a valid TV provider login. For those without cable, the ceremony will stream live on Hulu, including the option to watch with live TV add-ons such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and AT&T TV. Live TV streaming services that carry ABC will also provide access, including Sling TV and DirecTV Stream.

The End of an Era: Oscars to Move Exclusively to YouTube in 2029

The 2026 Oscars represent the final chapter in the Academy Awards’ long-standing broadcast relationship with ABC, which began in 1976 after decades on NBC (starting in 1953). In June 2024, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced it would shift the Oscars to an exclusive streaming platform beginning in 2029, with YouTube selected as the digital home. This decision reflects broader industry trends toward digital-first content distribution and follows the success of hybrid streaming and TV models in recent years. It also positions the Oscars to reach younger, more digitally native audiences who consume awards shows primarily through online platforms.

Conan O’Brien Returns as Host: What to Expect from His Second Oscars Gig

Conan O’Brien, the sharp-witted late-night host and former *Tonight Show* host, returns for a second consecutive year as host of the Oscars. In a press conference with the Oscars creative team, O’Brien emphasized his intent to balance entertainment with awareness of global realities. 'My job is always to try to walk a very thin line between entertaining people and also acknowledging some of the realities,' he said. Known for his improvisational style and self-deprecating humor, O’Brien has promised a show that feels both timely and authentic, with material being refined up to the final hour to reflect current events. 'This year, I know where the doughnuts are. I know my way around a little bit, and so, I think that’s going to be fun,' he quipped, referencing his familiarity with the venue after last year’s hosting debut.

Oscars Red Carpet Schedule and How to Watch the Fashion and Interviews

The Oscars red carpet is more than just a walkway—it’s a global stage for fashion, celebrity interviews, and behind-the-scenes buzz. This year, red carpet coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. GMT (12:30 p.m. PT) with the official Oscars broadcast, hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer, titled *On the Red Carpet at the Oscars*. The coverage will air on ABC and stream on platforms that carry the network, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV.

Where to Watch Alternative Red Carpet Coverage

For a more entertainment-focused take, E! Live from the Red Carpet begins at 9 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. PT) and will air on the E! network and stream on Peacock, Roku, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and other live TV services. The program features interviews with nominees, fashion commentary, and celebrity reactions. British comedian and interviewer Amelia Dimoldenberg, known for her *Chicken Shop Date* series, returns for her third consecutive year as the official Oscars social media correspondent, offering real-time insights and viral moments on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The Presenters: A Star-Studded Lineup Behind the Microphones

Every year, the Oscars rely on recent acting winners to help present awards, creating a sense of continuity and prestige. This year, four 2025 acting winners—Adrien Brody (*The Brutalist*), Kieran Culkin (*A Real Pain*), Mikey Madison (*Anora*), and Zoe Saldana (*Emilia Perez*)—return to the stage. They will be joined by a constellation of A-list actors and filmmakers, including Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Demi Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Maya Rudolph, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Pedro Pascal, Robert Downey Jr., and Sigourney Weaver. The diverse presenter list reflects both the Academy’s commitment to legacy artists and its embrace of rising stars, ensuring a dynamic and unpredictable flow throughout the broadcast.

Musical Performances: From Animated Hits to Blues Tributes

The Oscars’ musical performances have long been a highlight, blending chart-topping hits with cinematic storytelling. This year, two performances are tied to Best Original Song nominees. Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna will perform *Golden*, the standout single from the animated film *KPop Demon Hunters*. Meanwhile, Miles Caton will reprise *I Lied to You*, the soulful track from *Sinners*, alongside a star-studded ensemble featuring Grammy winner Raphael Saadiq, ballerina Misty Copeland, rock icon Brittany Howard, and blues legends Eric Gales, Bobby Rush, and Alice Smith. The *Sinners* performance is designed as a celebration of Black artistry across generations, spanning blues, jazz, and contemporary soul.

Record-Breaking Nominations: Sinners and the Historic 16-Nomination Milestone

At the heart of the 2026 Oscars is *Sinners*, Ryan Coogler’s ambitious supernatural romance set in 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi, which shattered the Academy’s nomination record with 16 nods. The previous high-water mark was 14 nominations, shared by *All About Eve* (1950), *Titanic* (1997), and *La La Land* (2016). Coogler, a two-time Oscar winner (*Black Panther*, *Fruitvale Station*), shared the inspiration behind the script in an interview with the Associated Press: 'I wrote this script for my uncle who passed away 11 years ago. I got to imagine that he’s listening to some blues music right now to celebrate.' The film’s genre-blending narrative—mixing horror, romance, and social commentary—has sparked intense debate about artistic ambition and awards strategy in Hollywood.

Other Major Nominees and Themes Shaping the 2026 Awards Season

While *Sinners* dominates the conversation, several other films have garnered significant attention. *The Voice of Hind Rajab*, a docudrama about a young Palestinian girl killed in the Gaza conflict, has earned a nomination for Best Documentary Feature, marking a rare and bold acknowledgment of ongoing global crises within the Academy’s traditionally escapist selections. Other contenders include *The Brutalist*, starring Adrien Brody, and *Anora*, directed by Sean Baker, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2024. These films reflect a growing trend toward socially conscious cinema within the awards conversation.

The Cultural Context: Oscars in a Time of Global Upheaval

The 2026 Oscars unfold against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza, which has dominated headlines and public discourse. While the Academy has historically sought to maintain a veneer of neutrality, the inclusion of *The Voice of Hind Rajab* signals a willingness to engage with real-world events. Host Conan O’Brien has acknowledged this tension, emphasizing the need for the show to remain both entertaining and reflective. 'What’s happening in the world will be reflected in the show,' he noted, pointing to a broader shift in how awards ceremonies balance spectacle with substance in an era of crisis and polarization.

Awards Shows in the Streaming Age: How the Oscars Are Adapting

The transition to YouTube in 2029 is not an isolated event but part of a larger evolution in awards show consumption. Over the past decade, viewership for the Oscars has declined among younger demographics, while digital engagement has surged. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok now drive real-time conversations, memes, and fan reactions during the ceremony. The Academy’s move toward streaming aligns with this shift, aiming to capture the attention of Gen Z and millennial audiences who increasingly prefer on-demand, interactive content. It also opens new opportunities for global reach, particularly in regions where traditional TV penetration is low.

Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team and Production Challenges

Producing the Oscars is a year-round endeavor, and the 2026 ceremony is no exception. The creative team, led by producer Raj Kapoor (known for *The Bear* and *Ted Lasso*), has emphasized authenticity and spontaneity in the show’s design. O’Brien’s involvement ensures a tone that blends humor with emotional resonance, while the writing team—led by Emmy winner Jo Koy’s former collaborators—has focused on crafting material that feels current and relevant. Coordination with nominees, rehearsals, and tech rehearsals for live performances are already underway, with safety and accessibility measures in place for a high-profile event.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Oscars