How to watch the 2019 Oscars—whether you have a TV or not
After what feels like months of drama over who will host the show and what categories will be included, the 91st Academy Awards are almost here. The 2019 Oscars will air this Sunday, February 24th, without a host (for the first time in 30 years). But even with no emcee, the ceremony promises to bring all the excitement of past Oscars, including live music performances and a bevy of celebrity presenters. Here’s how you can catch the ceremony whether you have a flat-screen TV or not.
The awards show’s website notes that this year, red carpet coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, and the ceremony will follow at 8 p.m. ET. If you have a television, watching either of these events is as easy as tuning into ABC. And in some places, you can stream the show on abc.com or the ABC app—although you need to login with either TV provider information or a DirecTV subscription.
Welcome our 91st #Oscars presenters! https://t.co/SR21kXZxNx
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 4, 2019
But how can you watch the 2019 Oscars without cable?
Fortunately, there are plenty of streaming services that offer the option to watch live TV—and they come with free trials. Consumer Reports notes that Hulu with Live TV, PlayStation Vue, and DirecTV Now all carry ABC, and you can compare them side-by-side on the site’s full guide. You can also watch the ABC broadcast on YouTube TV. All four of these options have seven-day trial periods, according to CNET, so you can always cancel after the Oscars.
Alternatively, if you just want to be able to watch live broadcast TV, you can buy an indoor antenna. Digital Trends has a comprehensive list of recommendations, and their cheapest suggestion is only $13.
Oscars 2019, here we come.
