![The Oscars 2017 red carpet specials and pre-shows build up the hype for the main awards show. [Image via Flickr Creative Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/2/26/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-oscars-2017-red-carpet-specials-and-pre-shows-build-up-the-hype-for-the-main-awards-show-image-via-flickr-creative-commons_1172747.jpg "The Oscars 2017 red carpet specials and pre-shows build up the hype for the main awards show. [Image via Flickr Creative Commons]")
The Oscars 2017 Red Carpet specials will help kick off tonight's grand awards show. The 89th annual Academy awards will help to honor a best of the best in show business this past movie season. Among the top movies up for awards are "La La Land," "Moonlight," "Manchester by the Sea" and "Hidden Figures. Some of the actors up for awards include Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Casey Affleck, to name just several of the nominees. Basically, many of the biggest stars will arrive before the 2017 Oscars main show starts, and there is live streaming and televised coverage for viewers Sunday night.
Pre-shows
Before Oscars awards are even handed out, the stars must arrive at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California. Each year, much hype is made about which actresses will be wearing what designers. As they arrive at the red carpet, the fashion police begin to determine who the fashion fails were, while those who got it right are also decided.
In addition, the Oscar pre-shows and red carpet specials help to let viewers know what's to come. There are early discussions of the top nominees and contenders, as well as interviews with the stars. Sometimes, major entertainment news also breaks during these events, so any big developments could be first reported on the red carpet.
How to watch live online
The "E! Countdown to the Red Carpet: The 2017 Academy Awards" begins at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the E! channel, followed by "E! Live From the Red Carpet: The 2017 Academy Awards" at 5:30 p.m. and "Oscars Red Carpet Rundown" at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Viewers can watch live on TV through the E! channel or live stream it online via compatible SlingTV service.
New customers can sign-up for a free one-week trial of SlingTV and watch the E! coverage on their mobile device, smart TV, video game systems or streaming media devices.
The ABC network is televising the main Oscars show and will feature an Oscars pre-show special, beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Live streaming feeds are available through the ABC app, as well as ABCNews.com and Oscars.com websites. Comcast X1, Xfinity and myxfinity.com will also have the live streaming coverage.
The main 2017 Academy Awards telecast goes live at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting.
