LOS ANGELES — In a groundbreaking announcement that signals a pivotal evolution for one of Hollywood's most iconic events, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a multi-year partnership granting YouTube exclusive global rights to the Oscars beginning with the 101st ceremony in 2029 and running through 2033. The deal ends a nearly 50-year run on ABC, marking the first time the Academy Awards will move entirely away from traditional broadcast television to a streaming platform.
The agreement encompasses not only the main telecast but also extensive ancillary content, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes features, the Governors Awards, Oscar nominations announcement, Nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards, Scientific and Technical Awards, filmmaker interviews, film education programs, podcasts, and more. The Oscars will stream live and for free worldwide on YouTube, accessible to over 2 billion users, while U.S. viewers can watch via YouTube TV subscribers. Features like closed captioning and multi-language audio tracks will enhance global accessibility.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor expressed enthusiasm in a joint statement: "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. The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible—which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community."
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed the sentiment, calling the Oscars "one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry." He added that the partnership would "inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy."
The current domestic and international deals with Disney/ABC and Buena Vista International remain in place through the 100th Oscars in 2028, ensuring continuity for the centennial celebration. ABC, which has broadcast the ceremony continuously since 1976 (and intermittently before), issued a gracious response: "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."
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the previous ABC deal reportedly involved around $100-120 million annually in license fees and production costs. The shift reflects declining linear TV viewership—despite a 2025 uptick to 19.7 million U.S. viewers, a five-year high but far below peaks like 57 million in 1998—and the rise of streaming. YouTube, already the most-watched streaming platform per Nielsen, outbid competitors including NBCUniversal and potentially others, prioritizing global scale and innovative engagement.
The move accelerates Hollywood's digital transition, following trends like Netflix hosting the SAG Awards (rebranded as The Actor Awards) and Hulu simulcasting recent Oscars. It grants the Academy greater creative control, potentially addressing past tensions with ABC over runtime, category presentations, and hosting choices. Without broadcast constraints, future shows could embrace longer formats, unfiltered moments, or interactive elements.
Industry reactions were swift and varied. Analysts hailed the global reach and free access as democratizing the event, while some traditionalists expressed concern over prestige on a creator-driven platform. The partnership also includes Google Arts & Culture digitizing the Academy Collection's 52 million items and providing digital access to museum exhibitions.
As the Oscars approach their centennial on ABC, the YouTube era promises reinvention: year-round content hubs, enhanced multilingual support, and alignment with younger, mobile-first audiences. This deal positions the awards as a truly borderless celebration, potentially boosting international viewership amid theatrical cinema's evolving landscape.
The 2026-2028 ceremonies will proceed on ABC/Hulu, but 2029 heralds a new chapter, underscoring streaming's dominance in live events—from sports to awards. With YouTube's infrastructure for massive concurrent viewers and creator ecosystem, the Oscars could evolve into an interactive, perpetual cultural phenomenon.
