In a massive shift for the media world, the Academy Awards will officially move to a digital home. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed a new deal with Google-owned YouTube this Wednesday. This historic agreement ends a partnership with ABC that lasted for more than fifty years. Consequently, the Oscars on YouTube will become the primary way for fans to watch the show starting in 2029.
ABC currently holds the rights to broadcast the ceremony through the landmark 100th anniversary in 2028. However, the entertainment landscape is evolving very quickly toward streaming platforms. The Academy wants to connect with a younger and more international demographic through this bold transition. Furthermore, this move follows a global trend of major live events leaving traditional television for online services. Experts believe that Oscars on YouTube can reach over two billion people across the entire planet.
The official contract with the video-sharing site spans five years from 2029 through 2033. Under this historic pact, the ceremony will stream for free to every user around the world. Moreover, the agreement includes exclusive access to red-carpet glamor and behind-the-scenes footage. YouTube will also host the Governors Awards and the official nomination announcements each year. Specifically, this partnership aims to utilize the massive global infrastructure of the world’s largest video platform.
Broadcasting the show on ABC has been an American tradition since 1976. Despite this long legacy, ratings for the traditional telecast have experienced a slow decline. For example, the 2021 ceremony reached an all-time low in terms of total viewers. Although viewership numbers increased slightly in 2025, the move to digital seems completely inevitable. Therefore, the Oscars on YouTube strategy functions as a vital survival plan for the famous awards show.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed great enthusiasm about this multifaceted global partnership today. He stated that the collaboration will inspire a new generation of dedicated movie lovers. Additionally, the move provides fresh opportunities for interactive digital engagement during the live broadcast. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan also shared his deep excitement for the upcoming project. He noted that the Oscars remain an essential cultural institution for the whole world. Thus, the platform will strive to honor the long history of the prestigious awards.
Interestingly, the deal offers digital features that traditional TV cannot easily provide at scale. For example, the live stream will include many different audio tracks for international fans. Also, advanced closed captioning will improve accessibility for many different types of viewers. These tech upgrades ensure that the Oscars on YouTube stay inclusive for a modern audience. While ABC tried to keep the rights, reports suggest they could not match the bidding price. Disney insiders mentioned that earning a profit on the show is now very difficult.
Meanwhile, the film industry is already seeing the dominance of big streaming services. Apple TV+ made history by winning Best Picture with “CODA” a few years ago. Similarly, Netflix recently secured the rights to stream the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Clearly, the transition of the Oscars on YouTube follows a trail blazed by other major events. Tech companies now have the money and the technology to replace traditional TV networks.
The Academy also plans to partner with the Google Arts & Culture initiative. This effort will help digitize the massive Academy Collection of important film history. Consequently, fans can look at over 52 million movie-related items through a simple web browser. This digital hub will support the Oscars on YouTube by offering educational content all year. Such projects prove that the Academy is looking far beyond just one night of trophies.
Until the year 2029 arrives, fans can still watch the classic broadcast on ABC. The network will air the next three ceremonies exactly as they always have. Nevertheless, the entire industry is already preparing for the new digital era of Hollywood. Critics suggest that this change marks the beginning of the end for old broadcast television. In conclusion, the Oscars on YouTube represent a daring step into the bright future of media.
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