'The Oscars®' on ABC: Preview and How to Watch With Sling

In honor of the 2025 Oscars® on March 2, we spoke with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. Check out our interview, plus details on how to watch with Sling.

The closest Best Picture race in years is expected at the The Oscars®, which airs live Sunday, March 2 at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT on ABC (the official red carpet show, hosted by Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer begins half-an-hour earlier, at 6:30pm ET/ 3:30pm PT). Anora, The Brutalist, and Conclave are the strongest contenders, bringing to a close an awards season that was as unexpected as twisty as any film in contention.

Plus, comedy legend Conan O’Brien is hosting for the first time, so you know there will be plenty of laughs too.

Sling was able to conduct an email interview with the executive producers of The Oscars® – Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan – to get their thoughts on selecting a host, the art of pairing presenters, and much more. Check that out below, plus details on the broadcast, nominees, and, most importantly, how to watch The Oscars® live on ABC with Sling.

How To Watch The Oscars® Live on ABC With Sling TV

The following ABC affiliates are available with a subscription to Sling Blue or Orange + Blue in their local markets:

WABC-TV New York

KABC-TV Los Angeles

WLS-TV Chicago

WPVI-TV Philadelphia

KGO-TV San Francisco

KTRK-TV Houston

WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

KFSN-TV Fresno

Use the link below to watch The Oscars® live on ABC with Sling Blue in select markets.

https://main--sling--aemsites.aem.page/aemedge/fragments/try-sling-blue

Interview with Oscars Executive Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan

What’s your North Star from previous Oscar telecasts? Do you have an all-time favorite Oscar comedy bit?
The Oscars® have always been about celebrating the magic of cinema—how it brings us together, moves us, and inspires generations. Our guiding principle is to honor that connection, ensuring that each show feels both timeless and relevant. As for comedy, there have been so many iconic moments, but Billy Crystal’s musical openings stand out—they were the perfect blend of humor, reverence, and showmanship, setting the tone for the night in such a memorable way.

What do you look for in a host?
The ideal host embodies wit, warmth, and the ability to command the room while making everyone feel included. They have to love movies and understand the stakes of the night but also have the comedic timing to keep things moving effortlessly. This year, Conan brings his combination of intelligence and playfulness, which makes him the perfect fit for a night celebrating the alchemy of cinema.

How do you create a memorable live show in the age of streaming?
In a world of limitless content, a live event must feel truly special—something that can only happen in this moment, on this night. We do that by leaning into spectacle, emotional storytelling, and surprises that reward audiences for tuning in live. Whether it’s a breathtaking musical performance or a heartfelt tribute, we aim to craft moments that become part of the cultural conversation the next day.

Aside from obvious duos with history or an upcoming project, what’s the art of pairing presenters?
Pairing presenters is about chemistry—whether it’s a fresh combination that sparks curiosity or a reunion that tugs at the heartstrings. We think about energy, rhythm, and how each pair can complement the overall flow of the night. Sometimes the most unexpected pairings create the most unforgettable moments.

This year’s ceremony will spotlight organizations helping with fire relief in the LA area. How do you balance an entertaining show with awareness around this tragic event?

We believe storytelling has the power to heal and inspire. While the Oscars are a night of celebration, we also recognize the importance of acknowledging the resilience of our city and the people who make it strong. We’ll weave this into the show in a way that feels organic—honoring those impacted while reminding audiences of the unifying force of cinema. It’s about striking the right balance: heartfelt acknowledgment without losing the joy and grandeur of the evening.

What is the schedule on Oscar night?

The official red carpet show gets underway beginning at 6:30pm ET/ 3:30pm PT on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC. That’s followed by the awards ceremony from the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT, also on ABC.

Who is Presenting at The Oscars®?

The newest batch of presenters include Dave Bautista, Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña and Rachel Zegler. Joe Alwyn, Sterling K. Brown, Willem Dafoe, Ana de Armas, Lily-Rose Depp, Selena Gomez, Goldie Hawn, Connie Nielsen, Ben Stiller and Oprah Winfrey were announced as presenters earlier this week. Other presenters include last year’s winners in the acting categories: Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Emma Stone. Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Amy Poehler, June Squibb and Bowen Yang have also been tapped to present.

Who is Performing at The Oscars®?

On Feb. 24, producers announced that Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, LISA of Blackpink, Queen Latifah and RAYE will all be performing at the awards show. Additionally, the Oscars® will include “a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.”

Who are the Oscar nominees?

For a full list of 2025 Oscar nominees, visit the official website of the Academy Awards. Here’s a look at the nominees for the top prizes:

Best Picture

• Anora
• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Dune: Part Two
• Emilia Pérez
• I’m Still Here
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Wicked

Best Director

• Sean Baker, Anora
• Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
• James Mangold, A Complete Unknown
• Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
• Coralie Fargeat, The Substance

Best Actor

• Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
• Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
• Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
• Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
• Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

Best Actress

• Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
• Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez
• Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here
• Mikey Madison, Anora
• Demi Moore, The Substance

Best Supporting Actor

• Yura Borisov, Anora
• Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
• Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown
• Guy Pearce, The Brutalist
• Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Best Supporting Actress

• Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown
• Ariana Grande, Wicked
• Felicity Jones, The Brutalist
• Isabella Rossellini, Conclave
• Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• Anora
• The Brutalist
• A Real Pain
• September 5
• The Substance

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Emilia Pérez
• Nickel Boys
• Sing Sing

Animated Feature Film

• Flow
• Inside Out 2
• Memoir of a Snail
• Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
• The Wild Robot

Watch The Oscars® Red Carpet on ABC News Live With Sling Freestream

• Countdown to Oscars: On the Red Carpet Live: Starts at 1pm ET/ 10am PT.
• On the Red Carpet at the Oscars: Starts at 3:30pm ET/ 12:30pm PT.