The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday that it has signed a multi-year agreement granting YouTube exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The decision ends a decades-long broadcast era. For more than half a century, the Oscars have aired on ABC, which has been the ceremony’s home since 1976. Beginning with the 101st Academy Awards in 2029, the world’s most prestigious film awards will be streamed live and free on YouTube, making the ceremony accessible to audiences across the globe at the click of a button.
Academy leaders say the move reflects a broader vision for the future of the Oscars. “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,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement. They added that the deal would benefit both Academy members and the wider film community.
The shift comes at a time of major upheaval in Hollywood, as studios grapple with mergers, potential sales, and deep production cuts. Traditional television has also been under pressure as viewers increasingly turn to streaming platforms. Oscars viewership has declined steadily over the years, though the 2025 ceremony recorded a modest rebound, driven largely by younger viewers watching on mobile devices and computers.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan described the Oscars as “one of our essential cultural institutions,” saying the partnership would “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
ABC, which will continue to broadcast the ceremony until the deal expires, said it is looking forward “to the next three telecasts” it will still host. The 2026 Oscars are scheduled to air on ABC on March 15, with Conan O’Brien set to return as host.
The announcement also comes amid broader industry uncertainty. On the same day, Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly urged shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid involving Paramount Skydance in favour of a rival offer from streaming giant Netflix—developments that highlight the turbulence facing major media companies.
YouTube’s acquisition of the Oscars’ rights further signals where the industry is headed. As audiences migrate online and global reach becomes paramount, the Academy’s landmark decision suggests that the future of Hollywood’s biggest night will be shaped less by traditional primetime television and more by the power of streaming platforms.
