In a historic shift for Hollywood’s biggest night, the Academy Awards (Oscars) will be leaving traditional broadcast television and moving to YouTube beginning in 2029, organizers announced Wednesday. The decision ends a more than half-century partnership with ABC, which has aired the ceremony since the 1970s.
The academy’s new multi-year deal with YouTube grants the platform exclusive global streaming rights to the Oscars from the 101st ceremony in 2029 through at least 2033, transforming how audiences around the world will experience the event.
A Monumental Shift in Broadcasting
Under the agreement, the Oscars will be available to stream live and free on YouTube globally, with additional access for YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. YouTube is expected to present not only the main awards telecast but also red-carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Ball events and more — content that traditionally received limited or no broadcast presence.
Academy leaders emphasized that the move reflects a strategic effort to expand the Oscars’ global reach, especially among younger and international audiences who are increasingly turning to online platforms for live entertainment. “This partnership will allow us to connect with the largest worldwide audience possible and celebrate cinema in new and innovative ways,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor.
End of an Era at ABC
The Oscars’ run on ABC, a staple of American broadcast television, will conclude with the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. That milestone ceremony is expected to be one of the most watched in years and marks the end of an iconic television tradition.
ABC officials praised their longstanding relationship with the Academy and expressed pride in decades of sharing cinema’s biggest night with audiences — but acknowledged that viewer habits have changed dramatically in the streaming era.
What This Means for Viewers & the Industry
Industry analysts say the Oscars’ move underscores the broader trend of major live events migrating from linear TV to digital platforms as broadcasters face declining ratings and competition from online media. YouTube’s massive user base — more than 2 billion users worldwide — offers the Academy a platform to reinvigorate interest in the awards show and reach new demographics.
For audiences, the shift promises greater accessibility. The Oscars will feature multilingual audio tracks and closed captioning, and viewers worldwide will no longer need a cable subscription to watch the ceremony.
Looking Ahead
The historic transition does not take effect until 2029, giving traditional networks time to prepare for their final years of Oscars broadcasts. In the meantime, the Academy continues to adapt to changing media landscapes as it celebrates film artistry and embraces new ways to bring Hollywood’s biggest night to audiences around the world.
