The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a multi-year agreement that will move the Oscars from broadcast television to YouTube starting in 2029, marking a significant change in how Hollywood’s biggest awards show is distributed.
Under the deal, YouTube will have exclusive global rights to the Oscars from 2029 through 2033. Coverage will include the main ceremony as well as red carpet events, behind-the-scenes access, and post-show programming such as the Governors Ball. The partnership also extends to other Academy activities, including nominations announcements, Governors Awards, student Academy Awards, educational programs, and filmmaker interviews.
Academy leaders said the move reflects the organization’s increasingly international outlook and its goal of reaching a broader global audience. In recent years, the Academy has expanded its membership beyond the US, with international voters now making up a growing share of its electorate.
The agreement strengthens YouTube’s push into major live events as traditional television audiences continue to decline. The platform has led US streaming viewership in recent years and has expanded into live sports and other premium programming, signaling its ambitions beyond on-demand video.
The shift will end the Oscars’ long-running relationship with Disney’s ABC, which has broadcast the ceremony for more than five decades and will continue to do so through 2028, including the show’s centennial year. While recent broadcasts have seen modest ratings gains, Oscar viewership remains well below its late-1990s peak.
The move follows a broader industry trend toward streaming platforms hosting major awards shows. The Academy’s next ceremony is scheduled for March, with nominations to be announced in January and the introduction of a new Oscar category for casting.
