The Oscars are broadcast on ABC, not on Disney Plus streaming
Disney owns ABC, but the Oscars air only on that television channel and through ABC's own streaming service, ABC.com and the ABC app — not on Disney Plus. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences licenses the broadcast rights separately from streaming rights, and those contracts keep the live ceremony on traditional television.
This is the same reason you cannot watch the Super Bowl or the Grammy Awards on Disney Plus, even though Disney owns ESPN and other major networks. Broadcast rights for major live events are sold in separate packages, and the Oscars package has always gone to ABC for television and ABC's platforms for streaming.
If you have a cable or satellite subscription that includes ABC, you can watch the Oscars live on that channel. If you do not have cable, you have other options to watch the ceremony without paying for a new subscription.
Key Takeaways
- The Oscars broadcast rights belong to ABC, not Disney Plus, even though Disney owns ABC.
- You can watch the ceremony live on ABC television or through the ABC app and ABC.com if you have a cable login.
- Hulu with Live TV includes ABC and costs around $75 per month, though the price varies by region and current promotions.
- The ceremony airs live in the evening on Oscar night, and ABC typically makes clips and highlights available the next day on ABC.com.
How to watch on ABC if you have cable
If your cable or satellite package includes ABC, tune to that channel on Oscar night. The ceremony usually starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time and runs for three to four hours. You can also stream it live through the ABC app or ABC.com by signing in with your cable provider's username and password.
The ABC app is available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android phones, iPhones, and web browsers. ABC.com works on any device with a web browser. Both require you to enter your cable provider name and account credentials before you can watch.
Hulu with Live TV as an alternative
Hulu with Live TV is a separate subscription from regular Hulu and includes ABC along with dozens of other channels. The service costs around $75 per month, though promotional pricing is sometimes available for new subscribers. You can watch the Oscars live on ABC through Hulu with Live TV on any device that supports the Hulu app.
Hulu with Live TV also includes on-demand access to past episodes and clips from ABC shows, so you get more than just the Oscars broadcast. If you already pay for regular Hulu, upgrading to the live TV version adds the extra cost on top of your current subscription.
Free clips and highlights the next day
ABC.com posts clips from the ceremony, award announcements, and acceptance speeches the day after the Oscars air. You do not need a cable login to watch these clips — they are free and available to anyone. However, these are not the full live ceremony, just selected moments.
If you miss the live broadcast and want to see the full ceremony later, ABC does not always make the complete show available for free. Some years ABC offers a full replay on ABC.com for cable subscribers, but this varies. Checking ABC.com the day after the ceremony will show you what is available.
Why Disney Plus does not have the Oscars
The Academy sells broadcast rights and streaming rights as separate deals. ABC won the broadcast rights, which means the live ceremony airs on ABC television. ABC also has the right to stream it through its own platforms — the ABC app and ABC.com — but not through other Disney services like Disney Plus.
This separation exists because television networks pay more for exclusive broadcast rights, and the Academy wants to maximize revenue. If the Oscars appeared on Disney Plus at the same time as ABC, fewer people would watch on ABC, and the network would pay less for the rights next time.
The same licensing structure applies to other major events. The Super Bowl airs on CBS, Fox, or NBC depending on the year, and you cannot watch it on Paramount Plus, Fox Plus, or Peacock unless you have a cable login. The World Series airs on Fox or MLB.TV. These are all separate rights deals.
Other ways to follow the Oscars
If you cannot watch the live broadcast, you can follow along through social media, news websites, and entertainment outlets. Major outlets like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly post live updates during the ceremony, including all winners and major moments.
The official Oscars website (oscars.org) and the Academy's social media accounts post results and photos throughout the night. Entertainment news channels like E! News and Bravo often air their own commentary and analysis during the ceremony as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Oscars on Disney Plus with a cable login?
No. Disney Plus does not have the Oscars broadcast rights at all, even with a cable login. You need to use ABC.com, the ABC app, or Hulu with Live TV to watch the live ceremony.
Does the full Oscars ceremony ever come to Disney Plus later?
Not typically. Disney Plus focuses on scripted shows, movies, and documentaries rather than live events. The full ceremony may appear on ABC.com or Hulu after it airs, but Disney Plus does not carry it.
Is Hulu with Live TV the cheapest way to watch the Oscars if I do not have cable?
It is the most straightforward paid option, but check for promotional pricing first — new subscribers sometimes get discounts. If you only want to watch the Oscars once, watching free clips the next day on ABC.com costs nothing, though you will miss the live broadcast.
What time do the Oscars start?
The ceremony usually begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Oscar night. The exact date changes each year — the Academy announces it several months in advance. Check ABC.com or oscars.org for the current year's date and time.
Can I watch the Oscars on my phone?
Yes, through the ABC app or ABC.com on your phone's web browser if you have a cable login, or through Hulu with Live TV if you have that subscription. Both work on iPhone and Android.