The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially announced that YouTube has won the exclusive global rights to stream the Oscars starting in 2029. This landmark deal ends ABC’s decades-long tenure as the broadcast home of the awards, a partnership that has stood since 1961, with limited exceptions in the early 1970s.
A New Era for the Academy Awards
The transition begins with the 101st Oscars in 2029, with the current agreement spanning through 2033. ABC will continue to serve as the broadcast partner until the 2028 ceremony concludes. While the specific financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the shift signals a massive pivot for the film industry’s most prestigious event toward a digital-first distribution model.
Streaming Strategy and Global Reach
This move is a direct response to the steady decline in traditional broadcast ratings, which dropped from a peak of 55 million viewers in 1998 to approximately 20 million in recent years. By moving to YouTube, the Academy aims to leverage the platform’s massive global infrastructure.
The ceremony will be available to stream live and free to more than 2 billion users worldwide, alongside dedicated access for YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor noted that the partnership is designed to expand access to the Academy’s work to the largest possible global audience.
Beyond the Main Ceremony
The agreement extends far beyond the annual telecast. YouTube will become the official hub for year-round Academy content, including:
- Red carpet coverage and behind-the-scenes footage
- Official Oscar nominations announcements
- Exclusive interviews with filmmakers and Academy members
- Access to the Governors Ball
- Film education programs and original podcasts
Industry Impact
This deal represents a historic turning point for major awards shows. While other platforms like Netflix have previously acquired rights to events such as the SAG Awards, this is the first instance of one of the “big four” ceremonies—the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys—abandoning traditional broadcast television entirely in favor of a streaming-exclusive platform.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan emphasized that the partnership aligns with the platform’s goal to honor storytelling excellence while fostering a new generation of film enthusiasts, ensuring the Oscars remain a vital cultural institution in the digital age.