The 97th Academy Awards, hosted for the first time by Conan O’Brien, will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. With a star-studded lineup and intense competition, movie enthusiasts across the globe are eager to tune in.

For the first time, the Oscars will be streaming live on Hulu, alongside traditional broadcasting on ABC.

Cord-cutters in the U.S., U.K., and UAE have several options to watch the 2025 Oscars online for free.

Here's a guide to accessing the ceremony without a cable subscription.

Live TV Streaming Services Carrying ABC

The Oscars will be broadcast on ABC, making it accessible on streaming platforms that offer the network. Popular services include:

Several streaming platforms provide free trials, allowing viewers to watch the Oscars at no cost, as mentioned in a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

Hulu Free Trial

Hulu + Live TV Free Trial

Sling TV Discount

DirecTV Stream Free Trial

For the second year in a row, the Oscars will air on ITV and ITVX in the U.K. This marks a shift from previous years when Sky held exclusive rights.

For those traveling or living abroad, a VPN service like ExpressVPN can be used to access ITVX from outside the U.K.

Even though viewers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are thousands of miles away, they can still experience the magic of the Academy Awards live.

Shahid Plus offers a variety of subscription options, some of which include free trials or discounted rates for new users.

The Oscars Red Carpet is just as exciting as the awards ceremony itself. Fans can catch celebrity arrivals and fashion highlights through:

Cord-cutters can stream ABC and E!’s coverage on:

• Hulu + Live TV
  
• Sling TV
  
• Fubo
  
• DirecTV Stream
  

E! will also host “Brunch at the Oscars” at 11:00 a.m. PT / 2:00 p.m. ET, featuring style experts and entertainment reporters discussing predictions and fashion trends.

FAQs

Who is hosting the 2025 Oscars?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in November that Conan O'Brien will host the 2025 Oscars. This will be the former late-night host’s first time leading the prestigious film awards ceremony. O'Brien previously hosted the Emmy Awards in 2002 and 2006.

What movies will be up for the Oscars in 2025?

This year's Oscar nominees showcase a diverse selection of films, ranging from the religious thriller Conclave and the historical drama The Brutalist to the fantasy musical Wicked and the body horror feature The Substance.