ABC News is going all-in for the 97th Academy Awards, with special coverage spanning multiple programs and platforms, starting well before the actual ceremony on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Here’s the Lowdown: The coverage blitz begins with a primetime special, “Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts,” airing on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC (and streaming the next day on Hulu). This special will feature interviews with nominees like Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain), and costume designer Paul Tazewell (Wicked), plus appearances from many of this year’s high-profile nominees. Good Morning America will have extensive coverage throughout the week leading up to the Oscars, with Lara Spencer reporting live from Los Angeles.
What This Means Now: Viewers can get their Oscars fix across various ABC News outlets, starting weeks before the actual awards show. This includes morning show segments, primetime specials, a dedicated pre-show (“On The Red Carpet at the Oscars,” starting at 3:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. PST on March 2), and extensive online and social media coverage. The Red Carpet Show will be hosted by Linsey Davis, Whit Johnson, Chris Connelly, and George Pennacchio.
The Bigger Picture: ABC is using the Oscars as a major cross-promotional event, leveraging its news, entertainment, and digital platforms to maximize viewership and engagement. From Good Morning America to Nightline, from ABC News Live to ABC News Radio, and extending to its local affiliates, the network is providing comprehensive coverage. ABC is also using its online presence to broaden access with extensive streaming through ABC News Live, now on multiple platforms, which include Hulu, Disney+, and Youtube.
