YouTube secures exclusive streaming rights to the Oscars starting in 2029
The deal ends the Academy’s long-running broadcast partnership with ABC as the ceremony moves fully to streaming.
YouTube has secured exclusive rights to stream the Oscars starting in 2029, marking a historic shift for one of television’s most enduring cultural events. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the deal on Wednesday, confirming that the Google-owned platform outbid rival contenders, including The Oscars' longtime broadcast partner, ABC.
The agreement means YouTube will stream the 101st Academy Awards in 2029, with the deal running through 2033. ABC will continue to broadcast the ceremony through 2028, ending a relationship that dates back to 1961, with only a brief interruption in the early 1970s. Financial terms of the agreement weren't disclosed.
Meanwhile, the move underscores YouTube’s growing dominance in the TV and live-event space, as streaming platforms increasingly compete for marquee cultural moments once considered untouchable broadcast territory. Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will be available live and free to more than 2 billion global users on YouTube, while YouTube TV subscribers in the U.S. will also have access.
Emmanuel Umahi
For the Academy, the shift comes amid declining viewership. Oscar ratings peaked at roughly 55 million viewers in 1998, but in recent years have hovered closer to 20 million, prompting renewed efforts to reach younger, more global audiences who no longer watch traditional TV.
“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,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement. They emphasized that the partnership reflects the Academy’s international focus and desire to expand access for film lovers worldwide.
The deal goes beyond the awards ceremony itself. YouTube will also host red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, the Oscar nominations announcement, filmmaker and Academy member interviews, Governors Ball access, podcasts, and film education programming, effectively turning the Oscars into a year-round digital franchise.
Emmanuel Umahi
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said. “Partnering with the Academy allows us to bring this celebration of storytelling and artistry to viewers everywhere, while inspiring a new generation of creators and film lovers.”
While streamers have previously acquired awards show rights, like Netflix now airing the SAG Awards, this marks the first time one of the ‘Big Four’ awards shows (the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys) will leave broadcast television entirely in favor of a streaming platform.
The takeaway
This deal is more than a distribution change; it’s a signal that the center of gravity for global culture has shifted. By moving exclusively to YouTube, the Oscars are trading tradition for reach, betting that relevance in the next decade depends on meeting audiences where they already are.
For YouTube, it’s another step in its transformation from a video platform into a full-fledged TV network. For Hollywood, it’s a quiet admission that prestige alone is no longer enough; accessibility, scale, and digital-native engagement now matter just as much as legacy.
Emmanuel Umahi
