The Academy Awards will make a historic move to YouTube beginning in 2029, ending a decades-long run on ABC and signaling a major shift for the world’s most watched awards show.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that YouTube will hold exclusive global streaming rights to the Oscars from 2029 through 2033. (per The Hollywood Reporter). ABC, which has aired the ceremony almost continuously since 1961, will remain the broadcast home through 2028, culminating with the 100th Academy Awards.
The network said in a statement: “ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century. We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success.”
Starting with the 101st ceremony, the Oscars will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube, while also being available to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. The platform reaches more than 2 billion viewers globally.
Under the new multi-year agreement, YouTube will carry not only the main Oscars broadcast but also an expanded slate of related programming, including red-carpet events, nominations announcements, pre-show coverage, the Governors Awards, and the Nominees Luncheon. The Academy said the broader distribution is designed to extend its reach and engagement beyond a single night each year.
Academy leadership described the YouTube partnership as a way to modernize access to its programming. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said the deal would help “expand access” to the organization’s work and connect with audiences around the world: “This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy.”
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan also praised the agreement, calling the Oscars a cornerstone of global culture. “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” he said. “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.”
Financial terms were not fully disclosed, though the Oscars generated roughly $150 million in Academy revenue in the most recent fiscal year, largely from its television rights deal. The move makes the Oscars the first of the major U.S. awards shows — alongside the Grammys, Emmys and Tonys — to fully depart traditional broadcast television. While other ceremonies have added streaming options, none have previously abandoned network TV entirely.
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