Quick Read
- The Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029, ending a 53-year run on network TV.
- YouTube won exclusive global rights with a multi-year, nine-figure deal, beating Disney/ABC and NBCUniversal.
- The ceremony will stream live and free worldwide, with expanded creator and fan participation.
- The partnership includes red carpet coverage, nominations, educational programs, and museum digitization.
- The move reflects declining TV ratings and Hollywood’s push to reach younger, global audiences.
Oscars Ditches ABC for YouTube: A New Era of Streaming Begins
On December 17, 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a decision that will ripple through the entertainment world for years: starting in 2029, the Oscars ceremony will stream live and free on YouTube, ending a legendary 53-year run on ABC. The deal grants YouTube exclusive global rights through at least 2033, marking the first time the world’s most-watched awards show will be available simultaneously to billions of viewers across the globe, regardless of their location or cable subscription.
ABC will remain the Oscars’ broadcast home through the 100th ceremony in 2028—a centennial milestone. After that, the iconic red carpet, the glitz, the drama, and the coveted golden statuettes will migrate to the world’s largest video platform, available not just to YouTube TV subscribers in the US but to anyone with an internet connection worldwide (The Hollywood Reporter, CNN).
Why YouTube? Inside the Academy’s Strategic Pivot
The move to YouTube isn’t just about chasing viewers—it’s a calculated response to changing media habits and a shrinking linear TV audience. In the last decade, Oscars ratings have plummeted; even headline-grabbing moments like the 2022 Will Smith–Chris Rock incident only briefly stemmed the decline, pulling in 16.6 million viewers—far below the 57 million who tuned in for 1998’s “Titanic”-fueled telecast (Variety). With cord-cutting on the rise and younger audiences preferring online platforms, the Academy faced a crossroads: adapt or risk fading relevance.
Negotiations for post-2028 rights were fierce. Insiders suggest YouTube’s winning bid topped nine figures, outpacing offers from Disney/ABC and NBCUniversal (Variety). YouTube’s global reach and creator-driven culture made it the ideal partner for an event seeking to reignite its influence and expand its audience.
What Changes for Viewers and Creators?
In practical terms, the Oscars on YouTube will be more than just a live stream of the ceremony. The partnership includes red carpet pre-shows, behind-the-scenes content, nominations announcements, Governors Awards, the Nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards, Scientific and Technical Awards, filmmaker interviews, film education programs, podcasts, and more—all accessible on the Oscars YouTube channel.
For film fans, this means unprecedented access. YouTube plans to offer multi-language closed captioning and audio tracks, making the show truly global. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will benefit, too, with Google Arts & Culture helping digitize parts of its 52-million-item collection and stream select exhibitions worldwide (Academy Press Release).
Perhaps most revolutionary, YouTube will open doors for its creator community. Expect to see influencers and YouTube personalities joining the red carpet, interviewing nominees, and shaping the conversation. Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, calls the platform “the epicenter of culture”—not just a broadcaster, but a participatory space where fans and creators amplify the main event. This could mean more interactive coverage, fan-driven commentary, and community engagement, blurring the line between traditional Hollywood and digital storytelling.
Business Implications: Ad Dollars, Sponsorships, and Hollywood’s Next Chapter
For the Academy, moving to YouTube isn’t just about viewership; it’s a new chapter in monetization and branding. The Oscars generated $150 million for the Academy last year—mostly from Disney’s TV deal. With global streaming, the Academy can pursue broader sponsorships, akin to the Olympic Committee’s worldwide brand partnerships. Longtime sponsors like Rolex and Visa are likely to remain, but the digital shift opens doors for new, global brands looking to tap into the Oscars’ expanded reach (The Hollywood Reporter).
YouTube will sell its own ad time and collaborate with the Academy on diversified revenue streams. As Sean Downey, head of Google’s advertising business, notes, “Creators are the new storytellers.” Brands will seek authentic connections with audiences via creators, not just traditional ads.
Still, the transition isn’t without risks. YouTube, known for creator-driven, unscripted content, must build a world-class live event production team to match the prestige and complexity of the Oscars. Will the ceremony retain its gravitas, or will it be swallowed by the platform’s informal ethos? The Academy’s reluctance to shorten the broadcast or reduce categories frustrated ABC for years—will YouTube fare better in modernizing the show for digital audiences?
What This Means for Hollywood—and the World
The shift from broadcast to streaming signals more than a technical upgrade. It marks a cultural reorientation—Hollywood’s biggest night, now accessible to billions, is no longer gated by geography, cable packages, or even time zones. Film lovers from Mumbai to Buenos Aires to Yerevan can tune in live, join the global conversation, and feel part of the magic.
And the Oscars themselves are changing. The 2026 shortlist for Best International Feature already highlights this growing global embrace, with films from India, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia all vying for recognition (The Hindu). As the Academy expands digital programming and outreach, expect more diverse voices, stories, and creators at the forefront.
Hollywood is betting that the next generation of film fans will be found online—not just watching, but participating. The Oscars on YouTube could become a hub for film education, discovery, and debate, reaching new audiences and inspiring future storytellers.
With the Oscars’ leap to YouTube, the Academy is not just adapting to a changing media landscape—it’s reshaping it. Whether this move revitalizes Hollywood’s flagship celebration or risks diluting its legacy, one thing is clear: the future of entertainment will be streamed, shared, and shaped by global participation.