Awards season moves fast. Nominations appear, conversations heat up, and there&rsquo;s a long list of acclaimed films you&rsquo;ve been meaning to watch. If you&rsquo;re wondering where to stream award-nominated movies and how to catch the big ceremonies, Xumo keeps everything easy to find.
With <a href="/products/xumo-stream-box">Xumo Stream Box</a> or <a href="/products/xumo-tv">Xumo TV</a>, you can subscribe to all the major streaming services right from your device and start watching without switching inputs or juggling remotes. Whether you&rsquo;re planning a weekend movie marathon or a quick catch-up before the Oscars, all your streaming options live in one place.
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Where to Watch the Oscars
The 98th Academy Awards air live on ABC and stream on Hulu for subscribers.
If you subscribe to Hulu through your Xumo device, you can watch the Oscars live without switching inputs or devices. Just open the Hulu app from your home screen and tune in when the ceremony begins.
Planning to watch the red carpet coverage first? ABC and Hulu offer pre-show programming, so you can catch arrivals, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments before the awards begin.
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Key Awards Dates to Know
<ul>
<li>February 27&ndash;28: ACE Eddie Awards and <a href="https://producersguild.org/2026-pga-awards-motion-pictures-and-television-categories-nominees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PGA Awards</a></li>
<li>March 1: <a href="https://www.actorawards.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Actor Awards</a> Presented by SAG-AFTRA (Netflix)</li>
<li>March 15: The 98th <a href="https://www.oscars.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Academy Awards</a> (Oscars)</li>
</ul>
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Award-Nominated Movies Streaming Now&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve been behind on watching the latest films, don&rsquo;t worry. Xumo makes it easy to get caught up before the main events with some of your favorite streaming services like <a href="https://xumo.com/offer/max" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Max</a>, <a href="https://support.xumo.com/hc/en-us/articles/22512230615700-Peacock-app-on-Xumo-devices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peacock</a>, <a href="https://help.netflix.com/en/node/132591" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Netflix</a>, and <a href="https://www.xumo.com/offer/apple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple TV+</a>. Whether you&rsquo;re planning a full weekend marathon or squeezing in a nominee before the ceremony, here&rsquo;s where to start.
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<img src="https://xumo-cms.directus.app/assets/572cde34-74d5-489b-90c2-2e3475dc3d4e.jpg?width=1920&amp;height=654" alt="Apps UI">
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A Must-Watch Drama
One Battle After Another &mdash; A sweeping ensemble drama praised for its performances and technical craftsmanship. It&rsquo;s one of the year&rsquo;s most talked-about contenders and has earned attention across multiple awards categories. (Available on Max when you subscribe through Xumo)
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Bold, Unexpected Storytelling
Bugonia &mdash; An offbeat, darkly funny sci-fi story that blends conspiracy, belief, and unexpected connection. It&rsquo;s the kind of nominee that lingers after the credits roll. (Peacock)
If you&rsquo;re subscribing to <a href="https://support.xumo.com/hc/en-us/articles/22512230615700-Peacock-app-on-Xumo-devices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peacock</a> through your Xumo device, eligible customers can receive promotional offers, including the current Peacock Premium deal available on select devices. It&rsquo;s a simple way to stream award contenders without juggling platforms.
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Big-Screen Energy at Home
F1 &mdash; A high-speed racing drama that pairs on-track intensity with personal rivalry and redemption. The film has earned recognition for both its production scale and its performances. (Apple TV+)
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Classic Stories Reimagined
Frankenstein &mdash; Guillermo del Toro&rsquo;s atmospheric take on the iconic novel delivers visual richness and strong performances, earning attention for its craft and direction. (Netflix)
Train Dreams &mdash; A quiet, character-driven historical drama praised for its emotional depth and understated storytelling. (Netflix)
<a href="https://help.netflix.com/en/node/132591" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Netflix</a> can be accessed directly on your Xumo device. Just say &ldquo;Netflix&rdquo; into your Xumo voice remote to launch the app and start watching.
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A Genre Standout
Sinners &mdash; A genre-bending vampire thriller that surprised critics and audiences alike, leading nominations with bold storytelling and strong ensemble performances. (Max)
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Finding More Awards-Worthy Picks on Xumo Play
As Oscars night approaches, don&rsquo;t miss &ldquo;On the Red Carpet at the Oscars,&rdquo; capturing every star arrival at the Dolby Theatre &mdash; with the pre‑show streaming on the <a href="https://play.xumo.com/live-guide/abc-news-live" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC News Live</a> channel starting at 3:30 PM ET on Xumo Play.
Xumo Play is a great place to explore films featuring nominated actors, directors, and behind‑the‑scenes production talent. You&rsquo;ll find curated collections, related films, and hidden gems that make perfect pre‑Oscars viewing while you count down to the ceremony.
And because Xumo Play is free and built right into your device, you can dive in anytime &mdash; no sign‑ups, no extra apps, just instant access to award‑worthy entertainment.
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Tips for Binge-Watching During Awards Season
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<img src="https://xumo-cms.directus.app/assets/8a3077ca-c905-441e-abdc-bad203e11ec5.webp?width=1920&amp;height=1280" alt="Couple Watching TV">
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If you&rsquo;re planning a pre-Oscars watch list, a little strategy helps:
<ul>
<li>Start with Best Picture contenders and work outward to supporting categories.</li>
<li>Group movies by service to reduce app switching.</li>
<li>Use your Xumo voice remote to jump straight into the title you want.</li>
</ul>
Awards season is about celebrating storytelling at its best. With Xumo, finding where to stream those stories stays simple. Xumo makes it easy.
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Looking for More?
Catch behind-the-scenes features, interviews, and <a href="https://play.xumo.com/">awards show highlights on Xumo Play</a>.

From the SAG Actor Awards to the Oscars, find where to stream award-nominated movies and shows. See what&rsquo;s streaming now and how to subscribe through Xumo.

Awards Season Streaming Guide: What to Watch and Where on Xumo

Author: Thomas Iacopelli, Director, Revenue Partnerships&nbsp;
Unsurprisingly, AI was a defining topic throughout the week, particularly as it reshapes how streaming advertising is bought, optimized, and measured. Against that backdrop, several themes consistently emerged, pointing to where the industry is headed next. Below are three notable takeaways from the week that signal how streaming advertising is entering its next phase.&nbsp;
1. FAST Has Evolved into a Premium, Performance‑Driven Environment
FAST is no longer perceived as a secondary or &ldquo;free&rdquo; option &ndash; it has become a premium viewing experience with rapidly growing, highly engaged audiences. <a href="https://www.xumo.com/press/xumo-plays-record-2025-sets-the-stage-for-continued-fast-momentum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xumo Play reported a record year for 2025</a>, with total hours watched seeing 64% year-over-year growth, while time spent per user grew 22%. Demonstrating that not only are more viewers turning to FAST, but content is keeping them more engaged.
This shift is redefining FAST as both a branding and performance channel, delivering a lean-back experience like traditional TV, with the addressability and outcome-focused capabilities of digital.
At Xumo, our partnerships with players like Google TV and Xfinity offer advertisers even more ways to position FAST at the center of media plans, not as an add‑on. By bringing together the inventory and technology, advertisers can obtain a more transparent view of what they&rsquo;re buying, giving them the confidence and access to buy premium FAST inventory to expand audience reach and drive performance.
2. The Industry Is Moving Past Legacy Metrics Toward Real Business Outcomes
A recurring theme across panels was the need to stop evaluating streaming through outdated comparisons to traditional TV or other digital formats. That approach has created unnecessary confusion and undervalued what streaming uniquely delivers.
What matters now, and going forward, are outcomes: conversion, purchase behavior, ROI, and true incremental impact. Advertisers are finding success with incrementality, additive reach, and creative‑level cross‑channel measurement, which better reflects how streaming drives lower‑funnel performance. This shift is also opening the door for SMBs, who can now run highly targeted television campaigns with measurable results previously out of reach.
For advertisers, working with entertainment platforms like Xumo not only enables them to reach audiences within premium streaming content, but also gives them tools to more easily prove out campaign performance. <a href="https://www.xumo.com/press/xumo-expands-direct-access-to-premium-streaming-inventory-via-the-trade-desks-open-path" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategic partnerships around access and identity</a> are helping to streamline ways to unlock data and interoperability to meet buyer needs, which is becoming more crucial as the industry moves to an outcomes-first mindset.
3. AI and Agentic Automation Will Amplify &mdash; Not Replace &mdash; Human Strategy
AI emerged as a force multiplier for streaming advertising, improving speed, precision, and efficiency across audience identification, trend detection, creative execution, and optimization. As cognition becomes more abundant and inexpensive, competitive advantage shifts toward uniquely human strengths: strategy, creativity, and emotional resonance.
The next evolution into agentic AI could further transform digital ad buys, enabling autonomous systems to negotiate and execute complex campaigns at unprecedented speed. However, strategy remains foundational. In an agent‑to‑agent ecosystem, success will depend on clearly defined brand objectives, interoperable systems, and a continued focus on privacy, transparency, and trust.
The important thing is that platforms are leveraging this technology to better the viewer experience, whether it be from the content discovery perspective or by enabling tools that improve ad relevance.
What This Means for Streaming and Xumo
The conversations at IAB ALM 2026 made one thing clear: streaming advertising has entered its outcome-driven era.
FAST is premium. Measurement is maturing. AI is amplifying human capability, not replacing it. And streaming is opening doors for brands of every size to reach audiences in powerful, measurable ways.
At Xumo, these themes aren&rsquo;t theoretical &mdash; they reflect where we&rsquo;re already investing and innovating. As the industry continues to evolve, the opportunity lies in embracing change while staying grounded in what matters most: meaningful experiences, trusted ecosystems, and measurable impact for advertisers and viewers alike.

It&rsquo;s only early February but the industry has hit the ground running in 2026. From CES kicking off the year in early January to the IAB Annual Leadership Meeting this week, the pace of innovation has been nothing short of breakneck. Conversations across stages and side rooms made it clear that streaming advertising and technology are evolving in real time, at speed.

Three Key Takeaways from IAB ALM 2026 for Streaming Advertising: FAST, Performance, and AI

Author: Lady Learned, VP, Business Operations &amp; Planning, Xumo
As consumers shift toward flexible, cost-effective entertainment, free ad‑supported streaming television (FAST) has become central to streaming, and in 2025, Xumo Play delivered meaningful growth across audience, engagement, and programming.
Xumo Play delivered approximately 40% year‑over‑year monthly active user (MAU) growth in 2025, driven by strategic distribution investments, improved content discovery, and a growing slate of content that consistently meets viewers where they are.
A significant contributor to that momentum was continued gains in new-user adoption. Nearly one‑third of Xumo Play viewers in 2025 were new to the platform in any given month, signaling strong awareness, discovery, and repeat engagement. These gains were supported by improvements in product experience, smarter content organization, and expanded presence across key third‑party and owned‑and‑operated platforms.
&nbsp;
Engagement Deepened Across the Platform&nbsp;
Engagement metrics told an equally compelling story. Total hours watched on Xumo Play grew 64% year‑over‑year, while time spent per user grew 22% &mdash; clear indicators that Xumo Play is not only attracting more users but also delivering the kind of quality programming that keeps them engaged longer.
Xumo devices, a longstanding differentiator, played an outsized role in this growth, accounting for a significant share of viewing and delivering nearly 78% year‑over‑year growth in viewing hours. The synergy between hardware, UI, and content continues to be a powerful driver of long‑term traction.
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Strengthened Platform and Brand&nbsp;
Beyond audience and engagement gains, Xumo expanded its brand equity through Xumo‑branded FAST channels, including channels like Xumo Free Movies, Xumo Free Game Show TV and Xumo Free Westerns, which are available on both Xumo Play and third‑party platforms. Xumo-branded channels saw 50% year‑over‑year MAU growth, reinforcing the Xumo identity with curated, recognizable programming that complements partner content while strengthening the broader ecosystem.
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More Robust and Differentiated Content Lineup&nbsp;
Programming was another standout area in 2025. Xumo Play added over 150 new channels, bringing the lineup to more than 400 and broadening genre diversity across news, sports, lifestyle, entertainment, movies, food, crime, and more.
Exclusive and differentiated programming further elevated the experience. Notable launches included The NASCAR Channel, The NBA Channel, HBO Boxing, Live PD, Ancient Aliens, Cook&rsquo;s Country, The Lucky Dog Channel, and the Law &amp; Order FAST channel. Xumo Play was one of only five services chosen to debut Law &amp; Order at launch, underscoring its growing relevance among major content providers.
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Looking Ahead
Xumo Play enters 2026 with significant momentum and a clear roadmap. Xumo Play will be focused on further strengthening its content portfolio and distribution, investing in product and UX innovation, and personalized discovery. Another key focus area will be delivering meaningful value to advertisers and partners through our <a href="https://www.xumo.com/press/xumo-introduces-advanced-identity-solution-to-power-smarter-streaming-investments">advanced identity solutions</a> and <a href="https://www.xumo.com/press/xumo-expands-direct-access-to-premium-streaming-inventory-via-the-trade-desks-open-path">creating optionality and clearing hurdles for advertisers</a> to access our premium streaming inventory.
The milestones reached in 2025 reflect both the strength of the FAST category and Xumo Play&rsquo;s continued momentum in building a durable, differentiated FAST platform within it.
Xumo Play is poised for another transformative year that builds on the successes of 2025 and accelerates its role as a premier destination for both viewers and advertisers.

Xumo&rsquo;s Lady Learned, VP, Business Operations &amp; Planning, reflects on a record‑setting 2025 for Xumo Play, highlighting strong audience growth, deeper engagement, and expanding momentum across FAST. Learn how strategic distribution, differentiated content, and product innovation are positioning Xumo Play for continued success in the year ahead.

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FAST, Performance, and AI

Xumo Play’s Record 2025 Sets the Stage for Continued FAST Momentum