Oscars to Move to YouTube in 2029
In a major shakeup for Hollywood, the Academy Awards will stream exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the multi-year deal this week, ensuring that the world's most-watched film awards will reach a global audience of over 2 billion YouTube users for free. This new chapter for the Oscars marks the end of a 50-year tradition with ABC, which has hosted the ceremony since 1976.
The partnership with YouTube is set to last until 2033, bringing the star-studded event live and free to viewers around the globe. It’s not just the Oscars ceremony itself—YouTube will also air a range of related content, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes glimpses, the Governors Awards, the Oscars nominations announcement, and more. The deal also includes exclusive access to Academy events like the Student Academy Awards and Scientific and Technical Awards, along with film education programs and podcasts.
As the Academy moves towards this digital-first approach, YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan praised the collaboration, calling the Oscars “one of our essential cultural institutions” and expressing excitement about inspiring a new generation of filmmakers and film fans. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy,” he said in a statement.
The move signals a shift in how major events like the Oscars are consumed, following a trend where more audiences are turning to streaming platforms over traditional TV. While ratings for the Oscars have seen a steady decline, YouTube’s global reach offers a new opportunity to capture a diverse and engaged audience, particularly among younger viewers.
For ABC, this deal means 2028 will be the final year it broadcasts the Oscars, which will also be the show's 100th anniversary.
“The Oscars are a hallmark of storytelling and artistry, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible,” said Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy, and Lynette Howell Taylor, Academy President, in a joint statement. “We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube.”
This is not just about the Oscars—YouTube is positioning itself as a central hub for film and entertainment, with plans to bring exclusive content to its platform and create a more interactive experience for fans and creators alike. “YouTube is the epicenter of culture,” Mohan added. “It’s where culture is set, it creates these moments. We want to amplify that with creators.”
With the Oscars going global and digital, it’s clear that this iconic event is embracing the future of entertainment in a big way. Fans can expect more access, more content, and a greater sense of connection to the stars, the movies, and the stories that make the Oscars such a defining moment in Hollywood.
