LOS ANGELES, CA – The glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s biggest night will be front and center as Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer take the reins as hosts of The Oscars Red Carpet Show, the official pre-show for the 97th Academy Awards. The event airs on Sunday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on ABC.
This marks Palmer’s first year hosting the star-studded pre-show, while Hough returns for her second consecutive year. The 30-minute special will feature exclusive interviews with Oscar nominees, performers, and presenters, along with a multi-view experience of the red carpet, ensuring viewers don’t miss a single moment of the high-profile arrivals.
Produced by David Chamberlin of Full Day Productions, The Oscars Red Carpet Show leads into an extensive lineup of Oscars coverage by ABC News. The build-up to the prestigious ceremony kicks off on Good Morning America on February 26, where correspondent Lara Spencer will report live from Los Angeles. Additional coverage will continue on February 28, with ABC News chief international correspondent James Longman joining Spencer and other special guests. That same evening, GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts will present a primetime special, Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts: A Special Edition of 20/20, featuring in-depth interviews with Oscar nominees and first-time Oscars host Conan O’Brien.
On the big night, ABC News Live will provide comprehensive coverage with anchors Linsey Davis and Whit Johnson, alongside correspondent Chris Connelly, KABC-TV entertainment reporter George Pennacchio, and Variety’s chief awards editor Clayton Davis. They will co-host On the Red Carpet at the Oscars, delivering real-time insights and red carpet highlights to audiences worldwide.
Following the main event, Live with Kelly and Mark will broadcast its After the Oscars Show live from the Dolby Theatre on March 3, featuring exclusive backstage moments and reactions from the night’s biggest winners.
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on March 2, 2025. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC, streamed on Hulu, and available in over 200 territories globally.