Hollywood’s Super Bowl for movie buffs is upon us.
And you won’t want to miss the 2020 Oscars on Feb. 9, which will see the year’s hottest stars and most gifted creatives go head-to-head for a shot at entertainment’s most coveted gold trophy: an Academy Award.
The live ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., will once again forgo a traditional host this year following last year’s controversy with comedian Kevin Hart, who ultimately stepped down. The honors will instead boast a slew of megastars lined up to announce, as well as a cannon of A-list musicians who will perform songs throughout the night, including Billie Eilish, Sir Elton John, Randy Newman and Questlove.
Leading the 2020 nominations is “Joker” starring Joaquin Phoenix, 45, which made history with 11 nods from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, making it the most nominated “comic book movie” in Oscars history. Three other acclaimed films, “The Irishman,” “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” and “1917” all came in a close second with 10 nominations each.
Whether you’re watching for the acceptance speeches or the highly anticipated red-carpet looks, here’s everything you need to know to watch this year’s Oscars like a pro.
What channel is the Oscars on?
The Oscars will air on ABC at 8 p.m. EST in the US. The event will also be broadcast in 225 countries and territories globally.
How to livestream the Oscars
If you’re a subscriber to Hulu + Live TV, AT&T TV Now or YouTube TV you can stream the awards live, or you can log in at ABC.com with your TV subscriber information to watch. Many of the streaming services provide free trials for one or two weeks.
Who hosts this year?
There will be no host this year for the second time in a row, after last year’s controversy with Kevin Hart. The comedian was announced as 2019’s host, but stepped down as the leader of ceremonies within days of being tapped after a series of his old homophobic tweets resurfaced. Hart, 40, was never replaced, but the show received a ratings boost and critical praise for its move to go host-less. Looks like the Academy is hoping for the same results this year.
How can I watch the red carpet?
Known for some of fashion’s wackiest moments, red-carpet looks are a must-see. To tune in, ABC will air all the best red-carpet moments starting at 6:30 p.m. EST. E!’s “Countdown to the Red Carpet: Oscars 2020” special begins at 1 p.m. EST, followed by E!’s “Live From the Red Carpet” special hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic. The official Oscars Twitter will also be streaming the pre-show for free at 6:30 EST.
Who are the nominees this year?
From Hollywood heavyweights to young new starlets, check out the full list of nominees here. The nominees include big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, 45, Tom Hanks, 63, Scarlett Johansson, 35, and Martin Scorsese, 77, and buzz-worthy movies like “Marriage Story,” “Little Women,” “Parasite” and “Jojo Rabbit.” Of course, there were plenty of snubs, too. Fans were outraged that actors like Adam Sandler (“Uncut Gems”), Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”) and Awkwafina (“The Farewell”) didn’t get the nods they deserved. Critics were also outraged that not one woman was nominated for Best Director, leaving Greta Gerwig in the dust for her acclaimed “Little Women.”
Who is presenting this year?
The Oscars may have no host, but the presenter’s list — located here — is packing a major punch. Previous Oscar winners Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight” and “Green Book”), Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) will be on deck along with comedians and “SNL” alums Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig and an array of other actors who popped up in this year’s films will join the bunch including Ray Romano (“The Irishman”), Timothée Chalamet (“Little Women”) and Shia LaBeouf (“Honey Boy”).
