In a groundbreaking move set to redefine how audiences experience Hollywood's biggest night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has struck a multi-year deal with YouTube to exclusively stream the Oscars beginning in 2029. This landmark agreement, announced Wednesday, will see the 101st Academy Awards and subsequent ceremonies broadcast live and for free to a global audience on YouTube, marking the end of a five-decade-long run on ABC. The deal extends through 2033.
The shift to YouTube signals a seismic change in the entertainment industry, underscoring the growing dominance of digital platforms in shaping how major cultural events are consumed. While other award shows have incorporated streaming elements, the Oscars are the first of the "big four" awards shows (Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Tonys) to completely abandon traditional broadcast television.
Under the terms of the agreement, YouTube will have exclusive global rights to the Oscars, including the main ceremony, red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and access to the Governors Ball. For viewers in the United States, the ceremony will also be available via YouTube TV. Moreover, YouTube's capabilities, such as instant closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages, are expected to play a key role in making the Oscars accessible to a wider international audience.
Beyond the main event, the partnership encompasses a range of other Academy programs and events, which will be available exclusively on the Oscars YouTube channel. This includes the Governors Awards, the Oscar nominations announcement, the nominees luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, and interviews with Academy members and filmmakers.
The Academy leadership framed the decision as a strategic move to expand the reach and accessibility of the Oscars to a global audience. "The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. They added that the collaboration would leverage YouTube's "vast reach" to engage new generations of filmmakers and celebrate cinema on an "unprecedented global scale".
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the platform's commitment to honoring the Oscars' legacy while inspiring a new wave of creativity. "The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry," Mohan stated.
The decision to move to YouTube also reflects the changing dynamics of the media landscape, where streaming platforms are increasingly becoming the primary destination for live events. Several other major events, including sports leagues, award shows, and political debates, have already shifted to digital platforms in an effort to reach younger, digitally-native audiences.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the move signifies a major investment by YouTube in the future of entertainment. The platform, which boasts over two billion users worldwide, is poised to leverage the Oscars' global appeal to further solidify its position as a leading player in the media industry.
As the entertainment world braces for this monumental shift, many questions remain about the future of the Oscars on YouTube. Will the show retain its traditional three-hour runtime? Will commercials still be a part of the broadcast? Will the Academy introduce new elements to cater to YouTube's younger audience? Only time will tell how this new chapter in Oscars history unfolds.
ABC will continue to broadcast the Oscars through 2028, marking the 100th anniversary of the ceremony. In a statement, ABC expressed pride in having been the home of the Oscars for over half a century and wished the Academy continued success. In 2023, Netflix also picked up the rights to the Screen Actors Guild awards, now known as the Actor awards, moving them from broadcast to streaming.
