The Academy Awards are set for a historic transition from traditional television to streaming, with YouTube slated to become the new home of the Oscars starting in 2029.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed that YouTube has secured exclusive worldwide streaming rights to the ceremony under a multi-year agreement running through 2033. The deal represents a significant milestone as the entertainment industry continues its shift away from conventional broadcast television toward digital platforms.
ABC, which is owned by Disney, has aired the Oscars for decades and will retain broadcast rights through 2028. In recent weeks, the Academy had been seeking new partners for future telecasts, prompting speculation that a major tech company would take over. YouTube ultimately outbid ABC and other interested parties, although the financial terms were not made public.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan described the Oscars as one of the most influential cultural institutions globally, noting that the partnership aims to engage a new generation of creators and film enthusiasts while honoring the ceremony’s rich heritage.
The move underscores the expanding power of streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix, which have transformed how audiences engage with entertainment. Reactions within Hollywood have been divided, with some viewing the change as a forward-thinking evolution and others seeing it as a departure from long-standing tradition.
Despite the shift to streaming, the Academy continues to emphasize theatrical releases. Many Oscar-winning films still debut at major festivals and in cinemas before later arriving on streaming services. The 2025 Best Picture winner, for instance, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, enjoyed a theatrical run, and became available online months later.
ABC acknowledged the transition in a statement, reflecting on its long association with the Oscars and expressing enthusiasm for its final three broadcasts, including the ceremony’s 100th anniversary in 2028, while wishing the Academy continued success.
With YouTube taking over in 2029, the Oscars are poised to enter a new chapter that mirrors evolving viewing habits and the growing dominance of digital platforms in global entertainment.
The Academy Awards are set for a historic transition from traditional television to streaming, with YouTube slated to become the new home of the Oscars starting in 2029.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed that YouTube has secured exclusive worldwide streaming rights to the ceremony under a multi-year agreement running through 2033. The deal represents a significant milestone as the entertainment industry continues its shift away from conventional broadcast television toward digital platforms.
ABC, which is owned by Disney, has aired the Oscars for decades and will retain broadcast rights through 2028. In recent weeks, the Academy had been seeking new partners for future telecasts, prompting speculation that a major tech company would take over. YouTube ultimately outbid ABC and other interested parties, although the financial terms were not made public.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan described the Oscars as one of the most influential cultural institutions globally, noting that the partnership aims to engage a new generation of creators and film enthusiasts while honoring the ceremony’s rich heritage.
The move underscores the expanding power of streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix, which have transformed how audiences engage with entertainment. Reactions within Hollywood have been divided, with some viewing the change as a forward-thinking evolution and others seeing it as a departure from long-standing tradition.
Despite the shift to streaming, the Academy continues to emphasize theatrical releases. Many Oscar-winning films still debut at major festivals and in cinemas before later arriving on streaming services. The 2025 Best Picture winner, for instance, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, enjoyed a theatrical run, and became available online months later.
ABC acknowledged the transition in a statement, reflecting on its long association with the Oscars and expressing enthusiasm for its final three broadcasts, including the ceremony’s 100th anniversary in 2028, while wishing the Academy continued success.
With YouTube taking over in 2029, the Oscars are poised to enter a new chapter that mirrors evolving viewing habits and the growing dominance of digital platforms in global entertainment.
