The Oscars 2025: How to watch, and when the show begins

(NEXSTAR) — It's the moment movie fans and followers of the Oscars have all been waiting for: the 97th annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday.

This will mark the culmination of one of the most topsy-turvey Oscars seasons Hollywood has ever seen. So how can you catch all the action?

The Oscars themselves will start at 7 p.m. EST but red carpet coverage has already kicked off on ABC and Hulu, E!, and The Associated Press. The official Oscars preshow on ABC and Hulu will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.

You can find the Oscars on your local ABC station and streaming live on Hulu. You'll also be able to catch the show on Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV.

Here are three things to watch for during Sunday's Academy Awards:

Who is hosting the Oscars?

Comedian Conan O'Brien will be hosting, his first time at the helm of the Oscars.

As you watch the show, you may also hear a familiar voice. Last month, the Academy announced actor Nick Offerman, well known for his role as Ron Swanson on "Parks and Recreation," will be the announcer for Sunday's award show.

We also know Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, Goldie Hawn, Ben Stiller, Ana de Armas, Sterling K. Brown, Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp and Connie Nielsen will serve as presenters on stage.

Is there an Oscar best picture favorite?

The lead nominee is Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez,” with 13 nominations, but that film has seen its chances crater following uproar over years-old offensive tweets by its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly trans actor nominated for best actress.

The favorite is Sean Baker’s “Anora,” about a sex worker who weds the son of a Russian oligarch. The Neon release, the Cannes Palme d’Or winner, won with the producers, directors and writers guild. The only movie with the same resume to not win best picture is “Brokeback Mountain.”

Its closest competition is “Conclave,” the papal thriller starring Ralph Fiennes. It won at the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards, wins that came just as Pope Francis was hospitalized for double pneumonia. Oscar voting concluded before the pope fell ill.

Also in the mix are “The Brutalist,” nominated for 10 awards, and the musical hit “Wicked,” also with 10 nominations. Several of the early craft Oscars could be shared between “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two.”

Will politics play a starring role?

For the first time, an actor is nominated for playing the sitting U.S. president. Sebastian Stan is nominated for best actor for his performance as a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice,” as is his co-star, Jeremy Strong, for playing Roy Cohn. Trump has called those involved with the film “human scum.”

The political tenor of this year’s ceremony could be volatile, with the Oscars coming weeks into the second Trump administration and falling two days after the president’s dramatic rupture with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

Speaking earlier this week, O’Brien said he’ll strive to strike a delicate balance.

“I cannot ignore the moment we’re in,” he said. “But I also have to remember it’s threading a needle. I also have to remember what we’re here to celebrate and infuse the show with positivity.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Topics

How to Watch the 2025 Oscars Online

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will air on ABC this Sunday, and you’ll be able to stream it through Hulu as well.
Wired - 3d
How to watch and stream the 2025 Oscars tonight

Check out everything you need to know about how to watch the 2025 Oscars on Sunday, March 2.
ABC News - 1d
How to watch the 2025 Oscars and everything else you need to know

The 2025 Oscars will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu. Here is everything you need to know about the host, presenters, nominees and more.
Los Angeles Times - 5d
Oscars 2025 everything to know: How to watch, who is hosting, predictions and more

Everything you need to know about how to watch the 2025 Oscars, including start time, channel, performers and details for the 95th Academy Awards.
NBC News - 1d
2025 Oscars: How to Watch, Red Carpet Start Time and Streaming

Conan O’Brien will host the annual awards, which will be available to watch live on a streaming service for the first time.
The New York Times - 1d
The 2025 Oscars are tonight. Here's how to watch and what to know

The 97th Annual Academy Awards have arrived. Here is what to know and how to watch the 2025 Oscars live.
CBS News - 22h
How to watch the Oscars and who is nominated

Who will win, what can we expect and what has caused the most controversy this awards season?
BBC News - 1d
WATCH: Remembering when Jennifer Lawrence was starstruck by Jack Nicholson at Oscars

Right after Lawrence won best actress in 2013 for “Silver Linings Playbook,” she was doing an interview with George Stephanopoulos backstage when Nicholson stopped by to pay his respects.
ABC News - 2d
Potential historic moments to watch for at the 2025 Oscars

Check out potential historic moments you should keep your eyes peeled for at the 2025 Oscars, which take place March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
ABC News - 14h