Summary: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has signed a multi-year deal with YouTube for exclusive global streaming rights to the Oscars, starting in 2029 and running through 2033. The 101st Academy Awards ceremony will mark the beginning of this partnership, ending ABC’s 53-year hold on the broadcast that began in 1976.
What’s New in the YouTube-Oscars Deal
YouTube will stream the entire Oscars ceremony, red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and Governors Ball access live and free to over 2 billion viewers worldwide. U.S. viewers can also watch on YouTube TV. The platform will offer closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages to expand global accessibility.
Beyond the main ceremony, YouTube’s Oscars channel will host year-round Academy content including the Governors Awards, Oscars Nominations Announcement, Nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards, Scientific and Technical Awards, filmmaker interviews, and film education programs.
ABC and Disney’s Buena Vista International will continue broadcasting the Oscars domestically and internationally through 2028, culminating with the milestone 100th Academy Awards.
Why This Matters for Streaming and Awards Shows
This marks the first time a major U.S. awards show has permanently moved from broadcast television to a free streaming platform. The shift reflects changing viewer habits and the decline of traditional TV audiences; the 2024 Oscars drew 19.5 million viewers, far below the 55 million peak in 2000.
For YouTube, the deal positions the platform as a serious competitor for premium live events, traditionally dominated by broadcast networks. The Academy gains unprecedented global reach without paywalls, potentially attracting younger audiences who rarely watch linear TV.
Google Arts & Culture will also digitize portions of the Academy Collection, the world’s largest film archive with over 52 million items and provide virtual access to Academy Museum exhibitions.
How This Compares to Other Awards
The Oscars YouTube move follows a broader industry trend:
- The Grammys remain on CBS through 2026, with streaming on Paramount+
- The Golden Globes moved from NBC to CBS in 2024
- The Emmys rotate among ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox
The Oscars deal is unique because it’s entirely free on a digital-first platform, with no traditional TV simulcast after 2028.
What Happens Next
ABC will broadcast the 2025-2028 ceremonies, including the centennial 100th Oscars in March 2028. YouTube’s first ceremony launches in early 2029 with the 101st Oscars.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized the deal will “expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible” and “celebrate cinema on an unprecedented global scale”. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called the partnership a way to “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers”.
Financial terms of the five-year agreement were not disclosed.
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When will the Oscars move to YouTube?
The Oscars will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube starting with the 101st Academy Awards ceremony in 2029, continuing through 2033 under a five-year deal.
Will the Oscars be free to watch on YouTube?
Yes, the Oscars will stream completely free worldwide on YouTube. U.S. viewers can also watch on YouTube TV. The ceremony will include closed captioning and multilingual audio tracks.
What happens to ABC’s Oscars broadcast?
ABC will continue broadcasting the Oscars through 2028, including the 100th Academy Awards. After that, the ceremony moved exclusively to YouTube, ending ABC’s broadcast partnership that started in 1976.
What other Academy content will be on YouTube?
YouTube will host year-round Academy programming including the Governors Awards, Oscars Nominations Announcement, Nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards, filmmaker interviews, and film education programs on the Oscars YouTube channel.
