Where and how to watch the Oscars in the UAE

What time in the UAE will the ceremony start? Which channels will be airing the Academy Awards? Where can you watch it if you don't have OSN? Find out here

Some of the presenters during the 90th Annual Academy Awards next week include, from top left, Mahershala Ali, Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Laura Dern, second row from left, Jennifer Garner, Greta GShow more

It’s all change for the Oscars this year, with the ceremony taking place on a week later than its usual February spot to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

This means the Academy Awards are on Sunday March 4 (meaning, due to time differences, they will screen from the early hours of Monday March 5 in the UAE).

In keeping with the spirit of change in the air, the organisers have also opted to start this year’s ceremony half an hour earlier, at 5pm LA time.

The thinking behind this is that it will ensure the ceremony ends a little earlier for the show’s crucial US East Coast viewers, meaning that the fashion, speeches and tears should be wrapped up 12.30am New York time to give everyone the chance for a good sleep before work on Monday. Not for us, though...

So, what time in the UAE? 

The bad news for us in this region is that this decision means the show will now start at the slightly more ungainly than usual time of 5am UAE time, and if you want to catch the red carpet coverage too you’ll basically have no choice but to pull an all-nighter – coverage of that begins at 3.30am.

Where to watch it? 

Fortunately, OSN have you covered to catch all the action from the comfort of your bed, with exclusive coverage of both the red carpet action and the ceremony itself on OSN Movies HD in English, and OSN Yahala Cinema HD with Arabic commentary. The coverage will run from 3.30am until the final statue is handed over (which is probably around the time the working day will begin in the UAE).

Don't have OSN? Watch it in the cinema 

OSN aren’t offering the show on their streaming services, but if you’re not an OSN subscriber, or you just fancy heading out to catch the action live, the broadcaster is teaming up with Vox Cinemas across the region to screen the show live for free to those brave enough to get up early.

Locations in the UAE are in Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre in Dubai, and Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi - as mentioned, the screenings are completely free to attend, but you will need to register here to secure a seat.

Cinema screenings are also taking place in countries including Oman, Bahrain and Egypt.

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Read more about the Oscars:

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What the Baftas mean for this year's Oscars race

Oscars 2018: In best-director nominees, a wealth of milestones

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