How to Watch the Oscars Online: Stream the 97th Academy Awards
The 97th Oscars is available to watch on a few services around the world and some of them are free. Read this guide to find out how to watch the Oscars 2025 from anywhere.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Vildana Bratic (Video Editor, Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch the Oscars
- Grab a subscription at a 72% discount from NordVPN’s website.
- Download and install the VPN client. Connect to a U.K. server.
- Go to ITVX and stream the Oscars for free.
Best VPNs for Streaming The Oscars:
- NordVPN — Secure, swift and packed with advanced features. You can sign up for NordVPN with a 72% discount and use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
- Surfshark — Best VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Get 66% (plus 3 months free) off the first two years with Surfshark, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- ExpressVPN — Premium VPN protection made simple. New ExpressVPN subscribers get up to 25% reduced rates on long-term commitments.
Facts & Expert Analysis:
- ABC will stream the Oscars in the U.S. on March 2, and it’ll also stream on Hulu for the first time. You can use a live-streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo to access ABC too.
- The Oscars will also be available to stream for free in a few countries, including on ITVX in the U.K. and 7Plus in Australia.
- If you’re outside any of those countries, you can connect to a VPN server in that country to access the streaming service you want.
- NordVPN is the best VPN for livestreaming the Oscars, followed by ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will host the 97th Academy Awards — also known as the Oscars — this March. If you’re scrambling to find out where and how to watch the Oscars in time for the big day, read on to get the full lowdown.
The Oscars will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on Hulu in the U.S., and there are also some free streaming options in other countries. However, if you’re outside the correct country, you’ll be unable to get access because of regional restrictions. Fortunately, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) like NordVPN to get around this issue.
Without further ado, let’s explore when the Oscars will be broadcast and the streaming services and channels — both in and outside the U.S. — you can watch it on.
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10/01/2024
We adjusted the article’s VPN positions to reflect recent improvements and feature updates.
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02/25/2025
Updated the guide with information for the 97th Oscars and reworked the streaming options.
How to Watch the Oscars 2025: Dates & Times
The 97th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It will air on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). Here are some of the international air times. Red carpet coverage will start half an hour before:
| Country: | Time & Date |
|---|---|
| Australia (AEDT) | Monday, March 3, 11 a.m. |
| Canada (EDT) | Sunday, March 2, 7 p.m. |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | Monday, March 3, 12 a.m. |
What Channel Is the Oscars On?
In the U.S., ABC has the exclusive rights to air the Oscars over-the-air, and Hulu will be streaming the ceremony online. If you have a U.S. TV provider, you can log in on ABC.com or the ABC app to stream the ceremony online.
If you’re outside the U.S., here are some of the international networks you can watch the Oscars on. Check the official list if your country or continent doesn’t appear here.
| Country/Continent: | Channel/Service |
|---|---|
| Australia | Seven, 7Plus (Free) |
| United Kingdom | ITV, ITVX (Free) |
| Ireland | RTÉ Player (Free) |
| Mexico | Channel 13, Channel 7 |
| South Africa | M-Net |
| India | Star Movies |
| Canada | CTV |
| New Zealand | Disney+ |
Where Can I Watch the Oscars 2025 Without Cable?
If you’re in the U.S., you can watch the Oscars on the ABC website or ABC app with a TV provider login and on a wide variety of live streaming services that include the ABC channel. These include Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream. Please note that on live TV streaming services, programming varies depending on where in the U.S. you are.
The Oscars will also stream live on Hulu in the U.S. for the first time. If you are traveling outside the U.S., you can connect to a U.S. server on a VPN to access your accounts with these services.
How to Watch the Oscars 2025 Free
There are a few free streaming options for the Oscars too, including ITVX (U.K.), 7Plus (Australia) and RTÉ Player (Ireland). However, they’re country-specific, meaning you’ll need a VPN if you’re not in the correct country.
YouTube TV, fuboTV and DirecTV Stream all offer free trials for new subscribers in the U.S. if you’d prefer to watch it on the ABC Channel.
How to Watch the Oscars With a VPN
If you want to access one of the free streaming options or you’re overseas and can’t access the ABC website or your usual live TV streaming account to watch the Oscars, this section will help. For this tutorial, we’ll use U.K. free service ITVX and our top VPN recommendation, NordVPN, as an example.
You can also connect to a VPN to access other U.S. streaming services, sites like ABC and services in various locations worldwide. Simply connect to a server in a country where the streaming service is available.
Also, note that some U.S. livestreaming services — especially Hulu+ Live TV — require you to check in from your U.S. home network every now and then to continue using the service. This is just something to be aware of if you’ll be traveling outside the U.S. and using a VPN for a longer period of time.
- Subscribe to a VPN Service
To get started, visit NordVPN’s website and subscribe to a plan at 72% off the regular price. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
- Download and Install the VPN
Locate the “download” tab on the VPN provider’s website and install the VPN on your device.
- Connect to a U.K. Server
Open the VPN app on your device and connect to a server in the U.K.
- Create a Free ITVX Account
Go to ITVX and create a free account. Make sure you use a valid email for verification.
- Start Streaming the Oscars for Free
Search for the Oscars on ITVX and click on it to start streaming.
The 3 Best VPNs for Watching the 97th Academy Awards
If you’ll be watching Hollywood’s biggest night on a U.S. streaming service from overseas or on a free service in a different country, you’ll need a reliable VPN to circumvent the geoblocks, and one that’s fast enough to prevent lags and buffering. Here are our top streaming recommendations.
1. NordVPN— Best VPN for Streaming The Oscars
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Whether you only want to see the red carpet show or watch the full Oscars ceremony, NordVPN is another solid (and affordable) choice for streaming. Its speeds have consistently proven to be best in class, which is why it’s our fastest VPN recommendation. This makes it possible to stream smoothly without enduring buffering, lags or slow connections.
We’re also fans of NordVPN’s easy-to-use desktop world map interface, though its mobile interface can be a bit complicated to get around, especially if you’re not the best at geography. NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Our NordVPN review spills all the details on this fast and intuitive provider.
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- Unlimited GB
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- Unlimited GB
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- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
- 10
2. Surfshark — Best Budget VPN for Watching The Oscars
Very Fast
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Very Fast
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
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- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
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3. ExpressVPN — Best Easy to use VPN for The Oscars
Very Fast
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Very Fast
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
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Best Free VPN for The Oscars: PrivadoVPN
because it can unblock ABC.
- 10GB
- 1
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- 10
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The 2025 Oscars: Who Will Host, Present & Perform at the Oscars?
The 2025 Oscars will be hosted by Conan O’Brien and Nick Offerman will serve as the announcer. This year’s presenters include Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emma Stone and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. We’ll also see performances from Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Doja Cat, LISA of BLACKPINK, Raye and Queen Latifah.
The nominations were announced in January, and films nominated for Best Picture include ‘Emilia Pérez,’ ‘Conclave,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘Anora’ and ‘Dune: Part Two,’ to name but a few.
Best Actor nominees are Ralph Fiennes (‘Conclave’), Sebastian Stan (‘The Apprentice’), Colman Domingo (‘Sing Sing’), Timothée Chalamet (‘A Complete Unknown’) and Adrien Brody (‘The Brutalist’). The nominees for Best Supporting Actor are Guy Pearce (‘The Brutalist’), Edward Norton (‘A Complete Unknown’), Yuriy Borisov (‘Anora’), Kieran Culkin (‘A Real Pain’) and Jeremy Strong (‘The Apprentice’).
Best Actress nominess are Fernanda Torres (‘I’m Still Here’), Mikey Madison (‘Anora’), Demi Moore (‘The Substance’), Cynthia Erivo (‘Wicked’) and Karla Sofia Gascón (‘Emilia Pérez’). Best Supporting Actress nominees are Zoe Saldana (‘Emilia Pérez’), Felicity Jones (‘The Brutalist’), Ariana Grande (‘Wicked’), Monica Barbaro (‘A Complete Unknown’) and Isabella Rossellini (‘Conclave’).
How to Stream the Oscars After It Airs
You can stream the Oscars after the ceremony airs on ABC’s website, as content typically becomes available on-demand the day after it first airs. Many live TV streaming services like Hulu+ Live TV let you record live TV to watch later.
You can also watch it for free on-demand on ITVX in the U.K. You just need to connect to a VPN server in the U.K. if you’re not located there.
Final Thoughts: Streaming the Oscars
Fortunately, the Oscars will air on various channels and networks around the world, but just because you’re traveling outside the U.S. doesn’t mean you have to miss out on using your favorite streaming services. You can also use similar methods to watch the Golden Globes and the BAFTA Awards as well.
You don’t have to take our word for it, trying NordVPN yourself is completely risk-free, thanks to the 30-day refund period.
Who are you rooting for in the best actor and actress categories? Which channel or streaming service do you plan to watch the Oscars on? Feel free to let us know below in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Stream the Oscars for Free
Yes, you can watch the Oscars for free on various platforms including RTÉ (Ireland), 7plus (Australia) and ITVX (U.K.). You can also tune in on the ABC website (U.S.) with a TV provider login. Several live TV streaming services, like YouTube TV, also offer free trials.
This year’s Oscars ceremony starts at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).
No, the Oscars will not livestream on Amazon Prime Video.
In the U.S., you can stream the Oscars on Hulu or via the ABC channel on a live TV streaming service. Alternatively, you can watch it for free on ITVX in the U.K., RTÉ Player in Ireland or 7Plus in Australia. If you’re not in any of those countries, a VPN can help.