Hulu’s highly anticipated debut as the official streaming partner for the 2025 Academy Awards turned into a night of frustration for many subscribers. Technical glitches plagued the broadcast from the start, leaving viewers unable to watch crucial moments of Hollywood’s biggest event. Just when it seemed the issues had been resolved, the stream cut off before announcing the Best Actress and Best Picture winners, leaving audiences furious.
Hulu Oscars 2025: A Night of Streaming Failures
For the first time, Hulu streamed the Oscars live, offering cord-cutters an alternative to traditional cable broadcasts. Since the ceremony aired on ABC, viewers expected a seamless experience through Hulu + Live TV and other streaming services such as Sling, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream. However, many Hulu subscribers encountered severe technical issues, missing key moments of the event.
Glitches Begin: Viewers Miss Opening Moments
As the ceremony kicked off, Hulu’s stream suffered major disruptions. Subscribers reported long buffering times, login issues, and complete blackouts. Among the biggest disappointments, viewers missed:
- Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s live performance from Wicked
- Conan O’Brien’s highly anticipated opening monologue
- Early award announcements
According to reports, Hulu resolved the initial problem two hours into the broadcast. A Hulu representative confirmed that a technical login system error was the cause, but by 6:15 p.m. PT, impacted users were able to regain access.
Stream Cuts Off Before Best Actress & Best Picture Announcements
After finally stabilizing the stream, Hulu subscribers thought the worst was over. However, the night took another frustrating turn when the event abruptly ended for some viewers before the Best Actress and Best Picture categories were announced. Instead of seeing the biggest awards of the night, affected users were met with an on-screen message thanking them for watching.
Social Media Erupts with Complaints
Disappointed and frustrated subscribers took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their concerns. Many users expressed disbelief that Hulu could not handle the live event properly. One user tweeted:
The backlash prompted a response from Disney+ Help, which suggested users restart their Hulu app or check for updates. Unfortunately, by the time most users tried these fixes, they had already missed key moments of the ceremony.
What Went Wrong? Hulu’s Explanation
According to sources, Hulu’s Oscars livestream failure resulted from two primary issues:
- A technical problem with Hulu’s login system, preventing many users from accessing the stream.
- A scheduling system error, which caused the event to cut off early for some subscribers.
While Hulu resolved the login issue mid-event, the abrupt end of the stream left viewers outraged. The company has yet to issue an official statement detailing how they plan to prevent such problems in future live events.
Hulu Isn’t Alone: Other Streaming Platforms Struggle with Live Events
Hulu’s mishap is not an isolated incident. Other major streaming platforms have faced similar challenges transitioning to live event broadcasts. In November 2024, Netflix experienced widespread technical failures during the highly publicized Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. Many viewers dealt with buffering issues and frozen screens, leading to possible legal action against the streaming giant.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos later defended the company, claiming:
These incidents raise concerns about the reliability of streaming platforms for live events, especially for high-profile occasions like the Oscars.
Will Hulu Fix Its Live Streaming Issues?
Following the Oscars debacle, Hulu must address its live streaming capabilities to maintain credibility among subscribers. Possible improvements could include:
- Enhanced server capacity to handle large traffic spikes
- More rigorous testing before major live events
- Better communication with users during outages
If Hulu fails to improve, it risks losing subscribers to competitors who offer more reliable live-streaming experiences.
