Despite dwindling viewership, watching the Oscars will remain one of the most essential American prizes for cinema in 2022. At Sunday’s 94th Academy Awards, Netflix or Apple TV+ could win the Oscar for Best Picture. This would show that streaming services have reached their cultural peak. Whether you have cable or not, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to watch the Oscars live in 2022, as well as how to stream the broadcast after it airs.
Senior editor Angela Watercutter’s thoughtful review of Dune; senior editor Jason Kehe’s analysis of how Encanto was optimised for TikTok; and senior writer Amit Katwala’s article on climate scientists’ reactions to the doomsday movie Don’t Look Up are among WIRED’s extensive coverage of the nominated films.
If you’re watching the Oscars from the luxury of your living room couch, make sure you have lots of nibbles on hand, a couple of beverages in the fridge, and a warm blanket handy. Whether you have cable or not, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to watch the Oscars live in 2022, as well as how to stream the broadcast after it airs.
The Best Ways to Watch the Oscars
The 2022 Academy Awards will be shown live on ABC on March 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The 94th Academy Awards will be hosted by Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall, rather than a single presenter for caustic Twitter users to criticise.
You may watch the 2022 Oscars on your TV, on ABC.com, or on the ABC app for iPhone and Android devices if you already have a cable subscription that includes ABC.
Viewers who frequently watch the Oscars programming on ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX may consider investing roughly $50 in an over-the-air TV antenna. Depending on where you live, you may be able to watch the awards show live on your local ABC affiliate without having to pay for a subscription.
Another viable option for viewing the 94th Academy Awards live without cable is to subscribe to a live TV subscription service such as YouTube TV, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV. For new customers, all three choices provide at least a one-week free trial. YouTube TV’s usual monthly price for over 85 channels is $65 per month, although new users can enjoy three introductory months for $55. For $70 a month, FuboTV offers over 100 channels.
Hulu + Live TV is a good option for anyone who watches a lot of on-demand entertainment in addition to live television. Around 75 channels are available through the service. For $70 a month, Hulu + Live TV makes up for the loss of odd channels you’ll probably never watch with access to Disney+, ESPN+, and ad-supported Hulu. The package may be upgraded to Hulu without advertising for $6 extra per month.
On the Oscars YouTube account, an additional American Sign Language (ASL) live stream for the 94th Academy Awards will be available.
What Films Have Been Nominated
The Power of the Dog, directed by Jane Campion and broadcast on Netflix, has the best chance of winning at the 94th Academy Awards, with a total of 12 nominations. Benedict Cumberbatch is nominated for Best Picture, Directing, and Actor in a Leading Role for The Power of the Dog. The Dune adaption is the second most nominated film at this year’s Oscars, with ten nominations. Seven Academy Award nominations were given to both Steven Spielberg’s version of West Side Story and Kenneth Branagh’s version of Belfast during the Northern Ireland conflict.
Consider viewing more high-quality films at home. WIRED’s roundup of streaming providers that have the nominated films will send you in the correct direction. The HBO Max repertoire includes films such as Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Nightmare Alley, and West Side Story. Don’t Look Up, The Lost Daughter and The Power of the Dog is among the Oscar-nominated films available on Netflix. Although Apple TV+ offers fewer selections, the service does have two Best Picture nominees: CODA and The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Sci-fi fans should check out WIRED’s look at Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune’s still suits, war predictions, and effect on Burning Man, as well as our Q&As with Frank’s son Brian Herbert and movie director Denis Villeneuve.
A pandemic that has lasted two years (and counting) has made movies more special than ever. We treasure the few occasions when going to the movies seems safe, and we can watch the Oscars finest films on the biggest screens with other moviegoers. Some of that magic came back in 2021 when a string of great movies brought us back to the theatre.
The 94th Academy Awards will be held on March 27 to celebrate those outstanding films. You must watch the performance live at home unless you’re renowned enough to attend the celebration in person at the Dolby Theater. Fortunately, there are several options.
How to Watch the Oscars Online
Preparing for the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater
The Dolby Theater is being made ready for the 2022 ceremony (photo by I Ryu/VCG via Getty Images).
On March 27, the Oscars will air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. You may just watch the show there if you’ve maintained the cord. However, by verifying your account with Spectrum, Verizon, or any other pay-TV service provider, you may watch online (opens in a new window) via ABC.com or the ABC app.
Is it possible to watch the Oscars online
Don’t worry if you don’t already have cable. Hulu and ABC.com are two options for watching the Oscars on demand from your TV or laptop in 2022.
The 94th Academy Awards are just around the horizon, and there’s still time to catch some of the best picture candidates before the lights go down in the Dolby Theatre.
Following last year’s shortened event at Union Station in Los Angeles, the Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood this year, with three hosts: Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes.
The program’s producers have vowed that it would stay under three hours, which is why they’ve opted to present out eight prizes before the show, including editing, original score, and hair/makeup, then cut them into the live broadcast.
If picking between ten films in one day seems daunting, start with the most nominated of the lot, “The Power of the Dog,” available on Netflix.
Here’s how to watch the Oscars live on Sunday
On what time and channel are the Oscars broadcast
The Oscars will be televised live on ABC on March 27 at 8 p.m. ET. The official red carpet pre-show on ABC begins 90 minutes before the programme at 6:30 p.m. ET, although several outlets, including E!, will be set up by 3 p.m. to await the arrival of the celebs.
However, it isn’t until after 5 p.m. that things really start to get going.
If you don’t have cable, here’s how to watch the Oscars.
Setting the channel to your local ABC station is the simplest way to watch the broadcast.
How to watch the Oscars live online
If you don’t have cable or don’t have access to an antenna, you can watch the Oscars online for $69.99 a month with a Hulu Plus Live TV subscription.