Sure, award season is great for movies and all, but unless you’re a director, producer, or you dropped too much cash in your office Oscar pool, the stakes are pretty low. But, there’s nothing better than tuning into an event and getting a fat splash of razzle-dazzle. No, I don’t mean the forced camaraderie—I’m talking about the Oscars red carpet, where movie stars dress like royalty, and in some cases, comic book supervillains. (I’m looking at you, Gaga.) And while Joan Rivers is no longer with us to drag the stars through the mud before they revel in their hours-long applause-fest, the red carpet is still the best place to get smacked with a little spontaneous magic, and of course, more fashion than an issue of Vanity Fair—and with way fewer perfume ads.
The best part? There are two shows to watch. They run concurrently, but that just means you can do some good old-fashioned channel flipping. Remember that? Here’s everything you need to know to watch the 2019 Oscars red carpet online for free.
What time does the Oscars red carpet 2019 start?
E! Live From the Red Carpet will start Sunday, Feb. 24, at 5pm EST on E!. The Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live From the Red Carpet will start at 6:30pm EST on ABC, which concludes when the 2019 Oscars start at 8pm EST.
What channel is the Oscars red carpet on?
E! Live From the Red Carpet airs exclusively (and obviously) on E!. The Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live From the Red Carpet will air on ABC.
How to watch the Oscars Red Carpet 2019 online for free
All of the major live TV streaming services offer a one-week trial, so no matter which option you choose, you can watch the 2019 Oscars and red-carpet festivities for free. Each of the packages below includes both E! and ABC, so you can choose which Oscars red carpet event you want to stream. Each service varies in terms of local channels offered and their coverage areas. In some cases, a live version of ABC won’t be available; instead, the service will offer an on-demand version, allowing you to watch your favorite shows the morning after they premiered. Be sure to use the links below to see exactly which channels you’ll receive with each service.
1) Hulu with Live TV
- Cost: $40 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW (check your local availability here)
Hulu with Live TV not only gives you access to on-demand content, but you’ll also be able to stream live TV, including local networks like ABC. If you miss the Oscars when they air, no worries: It will be available on demand along with countless movies, classic programs, and of course, original series available exclusively on Hulu. You’ll also get access to almost 60 channels, including Lifetime, ESPN, USA, and plenty more. (Here’s the complete list of Hulu Live TV channels.)
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2) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
While you don’t need a PlayStation console to use Sony’s PlayStation Vue streaming service, it certainly wouldn’t hurt. It looks fantastic on a PS4 and lets you jump from gaming to streaming on one device. One subscription lets you stream on up to five devices, all with unlimited cloud DVR storage. (Here are all of PlayStation Vue channels.)
3) YouTube TV
- Cost: $49.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- YouTube TV devices: Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
The original destination for videos online has rolled out a streaming package of its own. YouTube TV offers a streaming suite of more than 60 popular cable networks, including local channels. Among them are sports channels including ESPN and FS1, entertainment destinations like FXX and TBS, and even a handful of Spanish language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. One YouTube TV subscription lets you add up to six accounts, each with unlimited cloud DVR. (You can find the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
4) DirecTV Now
- Cost: $40-$75 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- DirecTV Now devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire Stick
- Local channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check local availability)
DirecTV Now is DirecTV’s answer to online streaming. If you simply must have the most channels, DirecTV Now offers upwards of 125 channels in its most expensive package. Of course, its basic $40-a-month Live a Little plan will get you access to ABC, where you can get your Oscars 2019 fix. (You can find the full list of DirecTV Now channels here.)
Other places to watch Oscars red carpet 2019
1) Twitter
For the first time ever, a special Oscars All Access: Red Carpet Live event will feature highlights and insider coverage on Twitter, starting at 6:30pm EST. It will be hosted by Laura Marano, Louis Virtel, and Chris Connelly.
New to cord-cutting? Here are our picks for the best movie streaming sites of 2019 and free live TV apps and channels. If you’re looking for a specific channel, here’s how to watch HBO, Showtime, Starz, Sundance TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Willow, AMC, FX, Fox News, Freeform, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, FS1, TBS, TNT, Tennis Channel, Golf Channel, Syfy, HGTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Bravo, Lifetime, Discovery, PBS, the CW, BBC, CSPAN, NBA TV, MTV, Comedy Central, Food Network, TLC, HLN, A&E, Animal Planet, National Geographic, the Weather Channel, the History Channel, and NFL RedZone without cable, as well as free movies on YouTube. If you’re on the move, here’s how to watch Fox Sports Go and live stream NBC Sports.
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