CNN and Variety Partner Again for Oscars Red Carpet Pre-Show

The live coverage will feature interviews with nominees and stars, as well as a post-show analysis.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:00pm

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CNN and Variety are teaming up once again to provide live coverage of the Oscars red carpet. The pre-show, hosted by CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister and Variety's Ramin Setoodeh, will air on CNN and stream on the network's digital platform, marking CNN's return to the Oscars red carpet after nearly a decade. The coverage will feature interviews with nominees and stars, as well as a post-show analysis hosted by Wagmeister, Setoodeh, and CNN contributor Van Lathan.

Why it matters

This partnership between CNN and Variety continues to expand how entertainment industry events are covered, combining CNN's global reach with Variety's deep industry insight. The Oscars red carpet is one of the most watched and anticipated events in Hollywood, and this collaboration will give audiences a front-row seat to the festivities.

The details

The Oscars red carpet pre-show will air live on March 15, beginning at 4 p.m. ET. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister and Variety's Ramin Setoodeh will host the coverage from the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, interviewing nominees and stars. After the ceremony, they will be joined by CNN contributor Van Lathan for a live after-show, where they will discuss the major moments and surprises of the night. Additionally, CNN Style's Rachel Tashjian and Women's Wear Daily style director Alex Badia will provide commentary on the fashion and trends from New York City.

  • The Oscars red carpet pre-show will air live on March 15, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET.
  • The post-show analysis will air immediately following the Oscars ceremony.

The players

Elizabeth Wagmeister

A CNN correspondent who will host the Oscars red carpet pre-show and post-show.

Ramin Setoodeh

The co-president and co-editor-in-chief of Variety, who will co-host the Oscars red carpet pre-show and post-show.

Van Lathan

A CNN contributor who will join Wagmeister and Setoodeh for the post-show analysis.

Rachel Tashjian

The CNN Style editor who will provide commentary on the red carpet fashion.

Alex Badia

The style director of Women's Wear Daily, who will also provide commentary on the red carpet fashion.

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What they’re saying

“After 'Actors on Actors' and our town hall with Timothée Chalamet, Variety is excited to once again partner with CNN — this time, bringing together a dream team of journalists to cover the Academy Awards. This will be a must-watch night of programming for movie fans in search of elevated interviews and analysis about the Oscars.”

— Ramin Setoodeh, Co-president and co-editor-in-chief of Variety

“Our collaboration with Variety continues to expand how we bring audiences inside the entertainment industry's most significant moments. Returning to the Oscars red carpet together allows us to combine CNN's global reach with Variety's deep industry insight for live coverage of Hollywood's biggest night.”

— Amy Entelis, Executive VP of talent & content development at CNN Worldwide

What’s next

CNN will also broadcast its latest CNN FlashDoc titled 'Hollywood and the Oscars: Still Golden?' on March 14 at 10 p.m. ET, setting the stage for the Oscars telecast.

The takeaway

This partnership between CNN and Variety demonstrates the continued collaboration between media outlets to provide comprehensive and insightful coverage of major entertainment industry events, giving audiences a unique perspective on Hollywood's biggest night.