The ceremony is on Sunday, March 15. Red carpet coverage starts in the afternoon, and the show begins at 7:00 PM Eastern Time, 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
In India, the live show will be in the very early hours of Monday, March 16. The red carpet is set to start at 3:30 AM Indian Standard Time, and the ceremony streams from 4:30 AM IST. The Dolby Theatre has long been the center of the Oscars in Hollywood.
How to Watch in the United States
People in the US can watch the Oscars live on a national channel, and also live as a stream on the big streaming services that have live TV. Many will likely watch on a streaming platform.
Red carpet coverage usually starts a few hours before the show; look for fashion, interviews, and arrivals to begin around 3:30 PM ET. If you’re watching on a phone, check your streaming app or TV provider for access and what’s available in your area.
If you want to record, or watch later, most providers have cloud DVR or on-demand replays soon after the show ends.
How to Watch in India
In India, viewers can watch the Oscars on the main movie and entertainment channels that have the rights to show it, and a streaming service will offer a live stream. Look at your local listings and streaming service to make sure you can get it.
Because the live show is on in the middle of the night, a lot of channels will show it again in the evening. Usually the Oscars repeat at 9:00 PM IST the same day – a good time for those who missed the live stream.
If you plan to watch live in India, set an alarm or have a watch party so you don’t miss the winners, the speeches, and the red carpet.
Host and Notable Ceremony Changes
Conan O’Brien is back to host, and will add his usual funny, observant style to the Oscars. Having him host again gives the show some consistency.
Something new this year is that the Academy is going to give Oscars to casting directors for the first time. This is a big step, showing that the Academy now understands how important casting is to a movie, and that it appreciates the people who work behind the scenes.
Expect the show to have things in it – music, performances, and speeches – that show what’s happening in the movie business and in movies now. The people making the show usually include both big hits and smaller, independent films.
Top Nominees and Awards to Watch
Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, has the most nominations – 16 – and will be a main part of the evening. Other movies up for Best Picture are One Battle After Another, F1: The Movie, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Bugonia, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, The Secret Agent, and Train Dreams.
Timothee Chalamet is nominated for Marty Supreme, and Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another. Jessie Buckley, Renate Reinsve, Emma Stone, and Kate Hudson are the main people people expect to win Best Actress.
In the supporting actor and actress groups, there’s a lot of good work – Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein, and Delroy Lindo in Sinners*. Also, watch for people who win for the first time, and for surprises in the technical awards.
Be sure to take time zones, streaming access, and any local schedules into account when you make your final predictions and viewing plans. No matter how you watch – live, stream, or on the repeat – the Oscars 2026 should have moments you’ll remember, and mark important points in the film industry.
