Are the Oscars on Hulu? The short answer is no: the Academy Awards do not stream on Hulu as a standalone offering, and they have not aired on any single linear or streaming home in the U.S. since NBCUniversal’s long tenure ended. The broadcast has aired on ABC and, more recently, in a hybrid simulcast model with streaming on platforms such as ABC.com, Hulu Live, and, in some years and demos, portions on Paramount+. To watch the ceremony, most people rely on a live TV stream that includes an owned station or a cable/satellite subscription, paired with the official Academy digital stream via its website or app. This guide explains how the Oscars have streamed, why plans change, and how to reliably watch next year.
How the Oscars Have Streamed in Recent Years
For decades, the Oscars were tied to long-lived broadcast and cable home arrangements, but streaming has complicated where you can see the show. The Academy moved its U.S. network home several times, and streaming add-ons have become central to how people watch.
ABC network for more than 30 years
ABC, owned by Disney, aired the Oscars in the United States from 1976 through 2021. That era offered a consistent over-the-air and cable presence, with many cable and satellite plans including local ABC stations.
Shift to NBC and a hybrid model in 2022
Beginning in 2022, the Academy moved its U.S. linear broadcast to NBC and Peacock (NBCUniversal’s streaming service). Each year since then has refined the approach, most recently adding ABC and Hulu Live as simulcast partners for 2024 and 2025. This hybrid arrangement means the ceremony appears on both linear and streaming services under the same roof: ABC, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, and others.
Current Status of the Oscars on Hulu
Hulu does not carry the Oscars as a free, ad-supported stream, but it can deliver the ceremony if you subscribe to Hulu + Live TV or the appropriate Live TV plan. If you subscribe only to Hulu’s on-demand catalog, you will not be able to watch the Oscars there. The Oscars appear on Hulu Live as part of the ABC simulcast when the Academy has partnered with Peacock and Hulu for a given year.
Official channels that carry the Oscars
- ABC (local broadcast station over-the-air and on most cable and live TV services)
- Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus (streaming from NBCUniversal)
- Hulu + Live TV (when ABC simulcast rights are bundled with Hulu)
- Live TV services such as YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream that carry ABC and NBC
- The Academy’s official streaming app and website, typically with a TV provider login for live viewing
How to Watch the Oscars Live: Step-by-Step
Watching the Oscars with minimal friction requires two things: a way to receive the over-the-air or cable signal, and access to the official Academy stream if you prefer a digital-only setup.
Option 1: Over-the-air antenna
In most U.S. markets, an inexpensive over-the-air antenna tuned to your local ABC affiliate will broadcast the Oscars live in HD at no monthly cost. Check your station’s schedule ahead of time to confirm the local air time and any possible preemption.
Option 2: Live TV streaming services
If you prefer streaming, choose a live TV service that includes ABC in your local market. Add the service to your cart before the Oscars to ensure regional channels are available, test the setup with a free trial if offered, and confirm channel lineups on the service’s official website. Many services offer the Oscars as a simulcast on their main ABC stream, sometimes in addition to the Peacock or other network streams.
Option 3: Official Academy app
The Academy’s own app typically requires a TV provider login from a participating cable, satellite, or live TV service. Once authenticated, you can stream the ceremony on phones, tablets, and connected devices. This method is convenient but depends on your existing TV subscription.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Live TV
Without a live TV stream or antenna, you will miss the live ceremony on Hulu’s on-demand catalog, because the Oscars are not included with the standard, ad-supported Hulu subscription. Some services offer add-ons that include local channels, and a few providers may offer the Oscars on-demand shortly after the live broadcast, but the live stream is generally restricted to authenticated TV subscribers to protect the event’s high-value rights.