Oscars 2026: How to Watch the Ceremony and Key Nominations

The 98th Academy Awards are set to take place tonight, celebrating the film industry’s best achievements over the past year. The ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will commence at midnight UK time (19:00 Eastern Time) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This year’s frontrunner for the coveted awards is the horror film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, which has received a record-breaking 16 nominations.

Viewing Details for UK Audiences

UK viewers can watch the Oscars live on ITV1 and the streaming service ITVX. Coverage begins at 22:15 with a pre-show hosted by Jonathan Ross, featuring insights and commentary from a panel that includes Elle Osili Wood, Samson Kayo, and Fred Asquith. For those in Central and Northern Scotland, the event will also be available on STV and STV Player.

Throughout the night, viewers can expect live coverage of the red carpet arrivals, hosted by Ross King. The main event will begin shortly after midnight and is expected to run until approximately 02:35 on Monday morning.

Major Nominees and Categories

This year’s competition for the Best Picture award features a diverse range of films. In addition to Sinners, nominees include One Battle After Another with 13 nominations, and Hamnet, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value, each with 9 nominations. Other notable films in the running are Bugonia, Train Dreams, and The Secret Agent.

In the acting categories, Michael B. Jordan is considered a strong contender for Best Actor for his role in Sinners. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley is a frontrunner for Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet.

The Best Director nominations include Chloe Zhao for Hamnet, Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another, Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, and Ryan Coogler for Sinners.

As anticipation builds for the ceremony, fans can look forward to a night filled with celebration and surprises. O’Brien has teased a show packed with “magic” and unexpected moments, promising an entertaining experience for all viewers.

As the Oscars unfold, fans worldwide will be eager to see which films and performances take home the prestigious awards. This year, the stakes are higher than ever, making it a night not to be missed.