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YouTube livestreams bring the 98th Oscars backstage and beyond. Today, March 15, fans get unprecedented access with four official livestreams covering everything from red carpet glam to after-party celebrations. This is Hollywood’s biggest night, and now you can watch from every angle live online.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Ceremony Time: Starts at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT at the Dolby Theatre
- Red Carpet: Begins 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT with live coverage on YouTube
- Host: Conan O’Brien returns for his second consecutive year hosting duties
- New Category: Achievement in Casting debuts at the 98th Academy Awards
Four Official YouTube Livestreams Launch Today
YouTube is delivering unprecedented backstage and real-time access to the Oscars. According to YouTube’s official announcement, fans can now choose their viewing angle with four dedicated livestreams. The ABC News Red Carpet feed captures every high-fashion arrival and celebrity interview as stars head into the historic venue. Viewers seeking inclusive content can tune into the dedicated American Sign Language livestream, ensuring all fans experience the ceremony’s biggest moments equally.
The Engraving Station livestream offers an exclusive look at the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official after-party celebration. This unique angle shows winners’ names being etched into gold the moment they leave the stage. For those seeking the ultimate Hollywood celebration, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party livestream provides access to one of the industry’s most legendary after-parties, extending the excitement long after the main ceremony concludes.
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How to Watch the 98th Oscars on March 15, 2026
The ceremony airs simultaneously on ABC and Hulu starting at 7 p.m. ET. For cord-cutters, streaming services like YouTube TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream all carry live ABC feeds. Red carpet coverage kicks off earlier at 6:30 p.m. ET on the main broadcast and select YouTube livestreams.
The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood remains the venue for this 98th celebration of cinema. Conan O’Brien’s return as host marks continuity after his successful debut last year. The comedian brings his signature wit to an evening honoring 2025’s most acclaimed films and performances.
What You’ll See on Each YouTube Livestream
| Livestream | What to Expect |
| ABC News Red Carpet | Live arrivals, celebrity interviews, fashion moments |
| ASL Livestream | Full ceremony with American Sign Language interpretation |
| Engraving Station | Winners’ names etched in gold at Governors Ball |
| Vanity Fair After-Party | Exclusive Hollywood celebration and celebrity revelry |
The Academy made this announcement to expand access and engagement with the historic night. Each stream complements the main ceremony, giving viewers options based on which moments matter most to them. The YouTube investment reflects the platform’s growing role in entertainment coverage.
“YouTube is the destination for fans to engage with the biggest night in Hollywood. This Sunday, March 15, you can follow the action in real-time with four official livestreams.”
— The YouTube Team, Official Announcement
Why This Year’s Oscars Are Historic for YouTube
YouTube secured exclusive global digital rights to broadcast the Oscars starting in 2029, making this the last ceremony on traditional platforms before the streaming shift. The Academy’s partnership with YouTube, announced in December 2025, marks a transformative moment for the awards show. Multiple livestream access today signals the evolution coming to how audiences experience cinema’s biggest celebration.
The introduction of the Achievement in Casting category also underscores the Academy’s commitment to evolving. This new award honors the casting directors who shape stories by assembling the right talent. The addition reflects growing recognition of this craft’s impact on filmmaking. YouTube is highlighting content exploring the role of casting directors, bringing fans deeper behind-the-scenes insight into how movies come together.
Will You Be Watching the Oscars YouTube Livestreams Tonight?
With four distinct perspectives available, viewers can customize their Oscars experience like never before. Fashion enthusiasts can focus on red carpet glamour via the ABC News feed. Accessibility-conscious fans can enjoy the full ceremony with ASL interpretation. Those craving exclusive celebrity moments have options from the Governors Ball engraving livestream or the Vanity Fair party pass.
The 98th Academy Awards represent a turning point where traditional broadcast meets modern streaming flexibility. Whether you’re watching the red carpet arrivals at 4 p.m. PT, the main ceremony at 7 p.m. ET, or following winners to the after-party, YouTube has positioned itself as the central hub for this moment. Tonight at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, cinema’s brightest stars gather, and viewers worldwide can follow in real-time across multiple screens.
Sources
- YouTube Official Blog – 4 Ways to Experience the Oscars on YouTube announcement
- The Walt Disney Company – Complete Guide to the 98th Oscars on ABC and Hulu
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – Official Oscars 2026 information and streaming details
