End of an Era: Oscars Move From Network Television to YouTube
Hollywood’s biggest night is going digital: the Academy Awards will stream live and free on YouTube beginning in 2029, bringing the Oscars to a global online audience of billions.
The Academy Awards, the world’s most-watched awards show, will move to YouTube beginning in 2029, marking a major shift for Hollywood’s premier honors and a longtime staple of network television.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has signed a multi-year agreement with YouTube granting the platform exclusive global rights to the Oscars®, starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029 and running through 2033. The telecast has aired live on ABC since the 1970s.
Under the deal, the Oscars—including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Ball access, and more—will be streamed live and free to more than 2 billion viewers worldwide on YouTube, as well as to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. YouTube will support the Academy’s expanding global audience with accessibility features such as closed captioning and multiple-language audio tracks.
The partnership also provides worldwide access to additional Academy events and programming exclusively on the Oscars YouTube channel. These offerings will include the Governors Awards, Oscars nominations announcements, the Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, film education programs, podcasts, and more.
“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 Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “ We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO, 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.”