How to watch Oscars 2025 in the UK: live stream, star performances, and the tightest races ever

The most unpredictable Oscars race in modern memory will draw to a close this Sunday as comedian Conan O’Brien takes the stage to host the 97th Academy Awards. From hot favourites the likes of Anora and The Brutalist to dark horses, this awards season has seen it all.

Conclave has swung from frontrunner to underdog and back again, all as the fate of the actual Pope has become a talking point. If you’re feeling bewildered, you’re not alone - but don’t let that stop you from tuning in. This year’s Oscars promises to be one for the books, with surprises guaranteed and O’Brien’s famous wit poised to turn potential awkwardness into pure entertainment.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of cinema’s biggest night. When are the Oscars 2025?. The 97th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2 - a week earlier than last year’s ceremony. What time will the Oscars air in the UK?.

In good news for UK, the ceremony will start earlier than its traditional 3am (LA time 7pm) kickoff. Instead, you can soak up the glitz and glamour at the slightly more manageable hour of 2am GMT. Red carpet coverage begins at 10.30pm, with the main event running until around 5.30am.

How to watch the Oscars in the UK. After Sky’s long run ended in 2024, the Oscars remain free-to-view in the UK. The entire ceremony, including red carpet coverage, will air live on ITV1 and ITVX, hosted by Jonathan Ross. If you’re not a night owl, the show will be available to stream on ITVX the next day.

Who is hosting the 2025 ceremony?. This year, the spotlight is on Conan O’Brien, the beloved comedian, podcaster, and former talk show host. Known for his self-effacing humour and razor-sharp wit, O’Brien is stepping into his first Oscars hosting role.

With a race too close to call and plenty of potential for awkward moments, O’Brien has his work cut out for him. The Contenders?. This year’s Best Picture race is a nail-biter, with Emilia Pérez leading the pack with 13 nominations, followed closely by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 nods each.

Other heavyweights include Conclave, A Complete Unknown, Anora, Dune: Part Two, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, and The Substance. Star-Studded Performances:. The ceremony will feature show-stopping acts from the likes of Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Lisa from BLACKPINK, Queen Latifah, and RAYE.

Grande and Erivo will take the stage to perform tracks from Wicked, while the Los Angeles Master Chorale will add a the big bang-level of grandeur to the night. Why this year is particularly interesting:. With the unpredictability of who of the diverse nominees will win being more than ever before and a new host, the 2025 Oscars are shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of cinema.

Set your alarms, stock up on snacks, and get ready for a night of glamour, drama, and maybe even a few history-making moments. In the meantime, do check out the shocking reality behind the glitz and glamor from the directors of Oscar indie favourites Anora and The Brutalist.