How to Watch the Oscars 2024 Online: Stream the 95th Academy Awards
If you’re traveling abroad during the Oscars this year, you might lose access to U.S. livestreaming services due to geoblocking. In this guide, we’ll show you how to watch the Oscars with a VPN from outside the U.S.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Editor)
Facts checked by Vildana Bratic (Video Editor, Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-03-12T08:47:00+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will host the 95th 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.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch the Oscars Online
- ABC will stream the Oscars in the U.S. on March 12. You can watch it on ABC’s website or app. Alternatively, you can use a livestreaming service like YouTube TV.
- If you’re outside the U.S., you can watch the Oscars on a local network or connect to a U.S. server on a VPN to access U.S. streaming services like ABC’s website, YouTube TV and Sling TV.
- ExpressVPN is the best VPN for livestreaming the Oscars, followed by NordVPN and Proton VPN.
The Oscars will be broadcast on ABC and several U.S. live TV streaming services, but if you’re traveling outside the U.S., you’ll be unable to get into your U.S. streaming service accounts because of regional restrictions. Fortunately, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) like ExpressVPN 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.
How to Watch the Oscars 2023: Dates & Times
The 95th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It will air on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Here are some of the international air times:
| Country: | Time & Date |
|---|---|
| Australia (AEDT) | Monday, March 13, 11 a.m. |
| Canada (EDT) | Sunday, March 12, 8 p.m. |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | Monday, March 13, 12 a.m. |
What Channel Is the Oscars On?
In the U.S., ABC has the exclusive rights to air the Oscars. 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 |
|---|---|
| Australia | Seven |
| Canada | CTV |
| United Kingdom | Sky Showcase |
| Ireland | Sky, RTÉ |
| Mexico | TV Azteca |
| Africa | M-Net |
| France | Canal+ |
| Brazil | GloboPlay |
| Germany | ProSieben |
| India | Disney+ Hotstar, Star |
Where Can I Watch the Oscars 2023 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 livestreaming services. These include Hulu+ Live TV, fuboTV, 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.
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 2023 Free
YouTube TV, fuboTV and DirecTV Stream all offer free trials for new subscribers in the U.S. There will also be livestreams on RTÉ player in Ireland, 7plus in Australia and ProSeiben (German language) in Germany.
You can use a VPN to access these services from outside Ireland, Australia or Germany — just connect to an Irish, Australian or German server. Read our guide to learn how to watch German TV in the U.S.
We were able to stream RTÉ player live without using a VPN or even creating an account from France, but if you have any difficulties, connect to an Irish VPN server. It’s especially important to connect to a VPN to stream if you’re traveling and are using public WiFi networks, as this helps prevent snoopers from getting hold of your data.
How to Watch the Oscars With a VPN
So you’re overseas and can’t access the ABC website or your usual live TV streaming account to watch the Oscars. Fortunately, a VPN can save the day. For this tutorial, we’ll use U.S. livestreaming service YouTube TV and our top VPN recommendation, ExpressVPN, 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
Choose a reputable VPN provider and sign up for a plan on the provider’s website.
- 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.S. Server
Open the VPN app on your device and connect to a server in the U.S.
- Log In to Your Streaming Service Account
Log in to YouTube TV or whichever live TV streaming service you want to use to start streaming the Oscars.
The 3 Best VPNs for Watching the 95th Academy Awards
If you’ll be watching Hollywood’s biggest night on a U.S. streaming service from overseas, 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. ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Fast streaming
- Top-notch security
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Expensive
ExpressVPN is our top choice for streaming on-demand and live content, thanks to its foolproof security, speeds and user-friendliness. In addition to letting you enjoy a buffer-free experience, ExpressVPN is great if you need to use public WiFi when traveling — its excellent security and privacy record has won it the top spot on our most secure VPNs roundup.
There’s only one thing about ExpressVPN that we would change if we could, and that’s its pricing. The monthly plan, as is the case with most VPN providers, is by far the most expensive option; the yearly plan isn’t cheap either, but it will certainly save you some money.
You can try streaming with ExpressVPN risk-free with its money-back guarantee. Check out our full ExpressVPN review for more.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
Pros:
- The fastest VPN
- Intuitive desktop interface
- Affordable long-term plans
Cons:
- Complicated mobile interface
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. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Our NordVPN review spills all the details on this fast and intuitive provider.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Proton VPN
Pros:
- Unlimited data on free plan
- Free servers in the U.S.
- User-friendly UI
Cons:
- Limited free server locations
If you’re planning on using a service’s free trial, you’re onto a winner if you pair it with a secure free VPN. Proton VPN is our number one free VPN recommendation because it’s safe, works with streaming services and has a very generous free plan with unlimited data on free servers.
This is perfect if you only want to access streaming services in the U.S., Netherlands or Japan, because that’s where the free servers are. On the other hand, if you want to access streaming services in other countries, you’ll need a paid plan. Find out more in our Proton VPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
The 2023 Oscars: Who Will Host, Present & Perform at the Oscars?
The 2023 Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and presenters include Emily Blunt, Riz Ahmed and Glenn Close. Rihanna will perform her single “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and fellow performers include Rahul Sipligunj and Khaala Bhairava, Stephanie Hsu, Son Lux and David Byrne.
The nominations were announced in January, and films nominated for Best Picture include All Quiet on the Western Front, Top Gun: Maverick, Elvis and Women Talking. Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominees for awards are Austin Butler, Brendan Fraser, Colin Farrell, Paul Mescal, Bill Nighy, Brian Tyree Henry, Brendan Gleeson, Judd Hirsch, Barry Keoghan and Ke Huy Quan.
Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees are Cate Blanchett, Ana De Armas, Michelle Williams, Andrea Riseborough, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, Kerry Condon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hong Chau and Stephanie Tsu.
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. Alternatively, you’ll likely be able to find clips of the ceremony on YouTube.
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 use a VPN like ExpressVPN to access your streaming subscriptions as usual, and its 30-day money-back guarantee means you can get a refund if you don’t like it.
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
Yes, you can watch the Oscars for free on various platforms including RTÉ (Ireland), 7plus (Australia), ProSeiben (Germany) and 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 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).
No, the Oscars will not livestream on Amazon Prime Video.
In the U.S., you can stream the Oscars on various live TV streaming services or on ABC.com or the ABC app. If you are outside the U.S., you can either watch it on a channel that’s streaming it in the country you’re in or use a VPN to access your U.S. streaming services.