How to watch a free Oscars live stream (replay) from anywhere: Academy Awards channel and times
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Update: If you missed the Oscars last night, don't worry. You can watch a full four-hour replay on-demand right now on a UK channel's free streaming service. If you're outside the UK, you'll need a VPN to get around the geo-blocking (the article below explains this more). Then simply head over to ITVX to watch the 2024 Oscars replay.
Original article follows....
Your free Oscars live stream is almost here, and we're ready to show film fans worldwide where to tune in on TV and online. The annual Academy Awards, now celebrating its 96th event, is the biggest awards show in the world, and there's more hype this year than there in a long time, thanks to an excellent year of movies.
The Oscars channel can be hard to pin down in different countries, and it often changes hands between networks. In some countries, you'll find it on a paid cable/subscription service, while in others, it's showing live for free and online on a standard TV network. We can show you how to watch the Oscars for free even if you're not in a country with a free broadcast.
The quick links box below has everything you need on where to watch the Oscars 2024 event on TV or online. ABC has it in the US, so we'll show you how to pick up that channel if it's not in your current package. Or, if you want a free option, we'll show you how to cozy up to the UK Oscars coverage from any country by using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions that would usually block your access. You can also use it for more streaming opportunities like:
- How to watch The Bachelor for free | Indian Wells live stream | Survivor live stream | Free F1 live streams
If you're still trying to catch up on this year's movies that are in the mix, check out Lillian's handy guide on where to watch the Oscar best picture nominees.
As detailed in our guide to the 2024 Oscar nominees, it feels like an open field this year, with a strong selection of competitive movies up for an Academy Award. Oppenheimer is undoubtedly the front-runner, as it has been at other events this season, with 13 nominations. Poor Things isn't far behind on 11, and Killers of the Flower Moon has ten.
What channel is the Oscars on?
In the USA, the Oscars are on ABC. If you don't currently have access on your cable TV package, you have various options. One is signing up for a cord-cutting service like Fubo, which comes with a substantial selection of cable channels and no long-term commitments - there's even a seven-day free trial. The live TV tier of Hulu also carries ABC, but there's no free trial.
If you don't want such an extensive list of channels and prefer a more straightforward, cheaper option, then similar live TV service Sling TV's Blue tier also carries ABC in a large number of US states - the first month is on offer at $22.50 today, and you're free to cancel at any time.
If you'd rather avoid signing up for any new paid streaming service, keep reading for tips on how to watch the free live UK broadcast instead.
In the UK, free broadcast channel ITV has secured rights for the Oscars this year, wrestling the rights away from Sky TV. If you're in the UK, you can watch it on TV or head online and tune in via the free ITVX service. You might be able to watch it on-demand the day after, but we also wouldn't bank on this as live events sometimes don't make it onto on-demand viewing platforms afterward.
For anyone considering this option from outside of the UK, you'll find that without a VPN, you'll be blocked from watching this Oscars live stream. But don't give up just yet...
How to watch the Oscars live stream from anywhere
If you're not in the UK but want to check out the free ITV streaming option for the Oscars, it's time to familiarize yourself with a VPN. Short for "virtual private network," a VPN can effectively change your device's virtual location so that it appears to be connecting from any country you want. To watch the Oscars, you can connect your VPN to a UK-based server, then go to the ITVX website and create a free account, and you'll be able to watch the Oscars.
A VPN can also help encrypt your network traffic, improving privacy and security. There are loads of VPN services to choose from, and multiple options are available if you'd like to check them out on our best VPN deals guide. Our pick among these for international streaming would be ExpressVPN, which is 49% off this week.
ExpressVPN has topped our list of the best VPNs for quite some time. It's reliable and easy to use, and the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's no harm in trying it. If it doesn't work well for your needs to watch the Oscars online or you don't like it, you can always request a refund within the introductory period, no questions asked. Our detailed ExpressVPN review lays out everything you need to know about the service and all its benefits.
How to watch the Oscars with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't have one.
- Install it on the device you're using to watch the show.
- Turn it on and set it to a UK location.
- Go to ITVX.
- Sign up for a free account.
- Watch the Oscars live stream.
- Coverage starts at 5:15 p.m. ET / 10:15 p.m. GMT / 6:15 a.m. AWST.
- Ceremony start time: 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. GMT / 8 a.m. AWST.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.