The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just announced a seismic shift for the film industry. Starting in 2029, the Oscars will officially move from traditional broadcast television to YouTube. This landmark multi-year deal grants the streaming giant exclusive global rights to Hollywood’s biggest night through 2033. The move ends a historic, 50-year partnership with ABC, which has televised the ceremony since 1976. While ABC retains the rights through the 100th anniversary show in 2028, the 101st Academy Awards will begin a new digital era.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor chose YouTube to modernize the show’s reach. They want to connect with a younger, more international audience where they already consume content. YouTube reportedly outbid major competitors like Netflix and Disney with a massive nine-figure offer. This decision makes the Oscars the first of the “Big Four” awards to completely abandon broadcast TV. The Academy believes this partnership will expand access to its 11,000 global members and film fans everywhere.
Global Access and Exclusive Content
Viewers can expect unprecedented access to the entire awards season ecosystem. The YouTube deal includes the main ceremony, red carpet coverage, and behind-the-scenes content. It also covers the Governors Awards, the nominations announcement, and the exclusive Governors Ball. The stream will be live and free for over two billion users worldwide. To ensure global inclusivity, YouTube will provide closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages. This move significantly removes the geographical barriers that traditional cable and satellite providers often create.
The partnership also includes a massive technical collaboration with Google Arts & Culture. This initiative aims to digitize the Academy Collection, which contains over 52 million historical film items. Fans will gain digital access to select Academy Museum exhibitions and rare cinema artifacts through the platform. This transformation turns YouTube into a year-round “Tech Hub” for the Academy’s educational programs and podcasts. By preserving film history digitally, the Academy ensures that its storied legacy remains relevant to future generations of creators.
The Future of Award Show Production
Industry experts predict that the move to streaming will fundamentally change how the show functions. Freed from strict network time slots, the Academy can now experiment with the show’s length and structure. YouTube provides the flexibility to alter traditional commercial breaks and enhance viewer interaction during the live stream. While the 2029 show is years away, the industry is already watching this transition closely. Until then, fans can still catch the upcoming 98th Oscars on ABC, with Conan O’Brien set to host on March 15, 2026.
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