In a seismic shift for one of television’s marquee events, the Academy Awards will depart US broadcaster ABC and begin streaming exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029. This announcement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences marks a significant transition for the Oscars, traditionally one of the most-watched television events globally.
ABC will continue to broadcast the annual ceremony through 2028, a year that will also mark the 100th Oscars. However, from 2029, YouTube will hold global streaming rights to the Oscars through 2033. This move positions YouTube as the new home for all things Oscars, including red-carpet coverage, the Governors Awards, and the Oscar nominations announcement.
“We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor. “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 — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community.”
Implications of the Streaming Shift
While major award shows have increasingly added streaming partnerships, the YouTube deal marks the first time one of the “big four” awards — the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Tonys — will completely move away from broadcast television. This transition places one of the most-watched non-NFL broadcasts in the hands of Google, with YouTube boasting approximately 2 billion viewers worldwide.
The Academy Awards will stream for free globally on YouTube, in addition to being available to YouTube TV subscribers. The stream will include audio tracks in multiple languages and closed captioning, making it accessible to a diverse audience. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube. “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.”
Historical Context and Ratings Challenges
The Disney-owned ABC has been the broadcast home to the Oscars for nearly its entire history. NBC first televised the Oscars in 1953, but ABC secured the rights in 1961. Except for a brief period between 1971 and 1975 when NBC aired the show, the Oscars have been synonymous with ABC.
“ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century,” the network stated. The 2025 Academy Awards garnered 19.7 million viewers on ABC, a slight increase from the previous year, partly due to its simultaneous live broadcast on Disney’s streaming service, Hulu. However, technical glitches on Hulu marred the experience for some viewers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oscars ratings plummeted to a low of 10.4 million viewers. A decade ago, the telecast regularly attracted over 40 million viewers, highlighting the changing landscape of television viewership and the challenges faced by traditional broadcasters.
Recent Changes and Future Prospects
In recent years, the Oscars have undergone several changes in an effort to rejuvenate the nearly century-old event. New categories have been introduced, such as Best Casting, which will be awarded starting in 2026, recognizing the crucial role casting directors play in filmmaking. Additionally, a Best Stunt Design category will be introduced by the event’s 100th anniversary in 2028.
The Oscars telecast has also been streamlined since 2023, with certain categories, including editing, production design, sound, and makeup and hairstyling, presented off-air. This week, the Oscars shortlist was announced for 12 categories, revealing a competitive field led by Warner Bros’ Sinners and Universal’s Wicked: For Good, each receiving eight mentions.
The Academy Award nominations will be announced on January 22, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning to host the 98th ceremony on March 15.
The move to YouTube represents a bold step into the digital future for the Oscars, potentially setting a precedent for other major awards shows. As the Academy seeks to engage a broader, more diverse audience, the partnership with YouTube could redefine how global audiences experience the magic of the Oscars.
