ITV's Oscars Coverage Sparks Instant Viewer Division
Hosted by Jonathan Ross, ITV's free coverage of the 98th Academy Awards commenced for film enthusiasts and viewers across the UK, but within mere minutes of the broadcast starting, audiences found themselves sharply divided. The show, which began at 3am, features a fresh panel this year, including red-carpet regular Elle Osili-Wood, BAFTA-nominated actor and director Samson Kayo, and Yorkshire-based TikToker and film aficionado Fred Asquith.
Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media
Viewers quickly took to X to express their opinions, with some pleasantly surprised by the panel's composition. One user exclaimed, "Oh my god ITV actually have a DECENT panel this year, I didn’t think it was possible!" Another added, "wait this itv oscars might not be too bad we have a tiktoker who i don’t mind YAHOO." However, not all feedback was positive; critics emerged swiftly, with one viewer stating, "I see ITV has assembled another apocalyptically awful panel for the #Oscars." Another complained, "i can't believe i have to watch the oscars on itv with jonathan ross interrupting every 5 minutes this is hell." A third mocked, "I love ITV acting like a TikTok guy has any insight on the Oscars lmao," while another joked, "i sincerely hope the audience at the itv oscars coverage is getting paid."
High Stakes at the Dolby Theatre
The prestigious event, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Sunday, March 15, 2026, gathered hundreds of film stars, including A-listers and rising talents, all vying for coveted Oscars. Among the favourites are Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan, with Jordan's film Sinners setting a record for the most nominations in Oscars history at 16. The Best Actor category is particularly competitive, featuring nominees like Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, Wagner Moura, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ethan Hawke. Initially, Chalamet seemed the frontrunner after winning the Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe, but his chances were upended by Michael B. Jordan's recent SAG-AFTRA win on March 1, 2026, making the race unprecedentedly unpredictable.
Best Actress and Hosting Details
In the Best Actress category, Irish actress Jessie Buckley is anticipated to win for her role in Hamnet, competing against Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, Emma Stone, and Rose Byrne. The Oscars are hosted for the second consecutive year by Conan O'Brien, who made his acting debut in the 2025 film featuring Rose Byrne. This coverage highlights the ongoing debate among ITV viewers about the quality and relevance of the broadcast panel, underscoring the challenges of delivering live entertainment that satisfies diverse audience expectations.
