The Academy Awards are set for a landmark transition from traditional television to digital streaming, with YouTube becoming the exclusive home of the Oscars beginning in 2029.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed that it has signed a multi-year deal with YouTube, granting the platform global streaming rights to the ceremony through 2033. The agreement signals a significant shift in the entertainment industry as it continues to move away from legacy television toward online platforms.
ABC, owned by Disney, which has broadcast the Oscars for decades, will retain the rights through 2028. In recent weeks, the Academy had been exploring new broadcast options for future ceremonies, sparking speculation that a major technology company would take over. YouTube ultimately outbid ABC and other contenders, though the financial terms were not made public.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan described the Oscars as one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions, saying the partnership would help inspire a new generation of creators and movie fans while preserving the event’s long-standing heritage.
The move underscores the growing power of streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix in shaping how audiences consume entertainment. Reactions within Hollywood have been divided, with some creatives praising the shift as a forward-thinking evolution, while others see it as a departure from tradition.
Despite the digital pivot, the Academy has reiterated its commitment to theatrical releases. Many Oscar-winning films still debut at major festivals and in cinemas before later arriving on streaming platforms. The 2025 Best Picture winner, for instance, premiered at Cannes, enjoyed a theatrical run, and became available for streaming months afterward.
ABC acknowledged the transition in a statement, reflecting on its long association with the Oscars and expressing anticipation for its final three broadcasts, including the centennial ceremony in 2028, while wishing the Academy success in the future.
With YouTube set to take over in 2029, the Oscars are poised to enter a new chapter—one that mirrors changing viewing habits and the increasing dominance of digital platforms in global entertainment.
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