The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is officially taking the Oscars off traditional broadcast television and into the streaming era.
The organization has signed a multi-year agreement granting YouTube exclusive global rights to the Oscars starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029. The deal runs through 2033, marking the first time in the awards show’s history that it will not be anchored to a linear broadcast network. ABC, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, will retain rights through the 100th Oscars in 2028.
Under the new agreement, the Oscars will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube, with U.S. viewers also able to watch through YouTube TV. The package goes well beyond the main ceremony. YouTube will also host red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes access, Governors Ball content, the nominations announcement, the Governors Awards, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, filmmaker interviews, education programs, and Academy-produced podcasts.
The partnership also extends into preservation and access. Through Google Arts & Culture, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Academy Collection—one of the largest film archives in the world—will see portions of its exhibits and materials digitized and made accessible globally.
The move follows a competitive bidding process that played out throughout 2025. Traditional broadcasters and streamers alike were reportedly in the mix, but YouTube ultimately outbid legacy players. Industry sources indicate the deal landed in the nine-figure range, exceeding what Disney/ABC and NBCUniversal were prepared to pay as ratings for the telecast have continued to decline.
While the Oscars remain one of the most recognizable events in entertainment, viewership has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Recent ceremonies have drawn audiences in the high teens, a far cry from the 50-plus million viewers the show once commanded during its peak. At the same time, YouTube has emerged as the most-watched streaming platform globally, with over two billion monthly users and a rapidly growing footprint in live programming.
The transition also marks the end of a sometimes tense relationship between the Academy and its longtime broadcast partner. Over the years, disagreements over show length, category presentation, and creative control had become increasingly common. On YouTube, the Academy will face no rigid time constraints and will maintain far greater autonomy over how the ceremony is structured and presented.
While ABC will still air the Oscars’ centennial celebration in 2028, the announcement signals a clear pivot toward a future where the industry’s biggest night is designed for a digital-first, global audience.
What This Could Mean
1. The Oscars Are Choosing Reach Over Tradition
This isn’t just a platform change—it’s a philosophical one. The Academy is prioritizing global accessibility over legacy broadcast prestige. YouTube offers scale that no single network can match, especially as international audiences become increasingly central to awards relevance.
2. The Show Will Likely Look Very Different
Without a fixed time slot or network standards, the Oscars could expand—or fragment. Extended acceptance speeches, experimental formats, creator-led segments, and simultaneous companion content are all on the table. The ceremony may no longer be a single, tightly controlled broadcast, but a sprawling ecosystem of live moments.
3. Creators Are About to Enter the Oscars Space in a Real Way
YouTube’s strength is participatory culture. Expect creators to play a visible role—especially on the red carpet, in live reactions, and through surrounding content. That could help younger audiences engage, but it also raises questions about tone, prestige, and balance.
4. Measurement Will Be Redefined
Traditional overnight ratings won’t apply. Instead, success will be measured through live views, replays, clips, engagement, and global watch time. The Oscars may end up being “bigger” than ever—but harder to compare to past eras.
5. This Reflects a Broader Industry Shift
As theatrical distribution, release windows, and film consumption continue to evolve, the Oscars are adapting early. By 2029, what qualifies as an “Oscar movie” may look very different than it does today—and the platform hosting the ceremony reflects that uncertainty.
At its core, the move asks a big question:
Can an institution built on Hollywood tradition successfully reinvent itself on a platform defined by creators, algorithms, and community-driven culture?
By 2029, we’ll have the answer—but the industry just entered a very different awards season era.