In a groundbreaking move set to redefine Hollywood’s biggest night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that YouTube will exclusively stream the Oscars globally from 2029 through 2033, starting with the 101st ceremony.
This historic deal ends ABC’s decades-long broadcast of the awards, which runs only through 2028.
The partnership will bring red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes access, and the Governors Ball directly to viewers worldwide, free on YouTube and via YouTube TV in the U.S. The platform’s global reach will expand accessibility with multilingual audio tracks and closed captioning, making the Oscars more inclusive than ever.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said, “We are thrilled to partner with YouTube, securing the Oscars’ future while reaching the largest global audience in history. This collaboration will celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers, and honor our legacy.”
CEO Bill Kramer
President Lynette Howell Taylor
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan added, “The Oscars are a cultural institution. Bringing this celebration of storytelling and artistry to the world will inspire creativity while preserving the ceremony’s historic prestige.”
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan
Insiders report YouTube outbid competitors, including Disney/ABC and NBCUniversal, securing the rights with a nine-figure deal. With the platform now handling full production, the Academy has unprecedented creative freedom from runtime to format innovations unbound by traditional broadcast limits.
This transition arrives amid declining TV ratings for the Oscars, with 2025’s ceremony drawing 18.1 million viewers compared to 57 million in 1998 for Titanic. Experts suggest the move positions the Oscars to capture the streaming generation while reinforcing YouTube’s dominance as a global platform.
Disney/ABC will still air the next three ceremonies through 2028, including the 100th anniversary show, while the Academy embraces a digital-first future, promising a bold evolution for Hollywood’s most prestigious awards.
