In a seismic shift for one of television’s marquee events, the Academy Awards will depart ABC and begin streaming on YouTube beginning in 2029.
The New Streaming Partnership
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday that the Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube, marking the end of a broadcast era. ABC will continue to air the ceremony through 2028, a year that will celebrate the 100th Oscars.
YouTube Takes Over Through 2033
Starting in 2029, YouTube will hold global rights to stream the Oscars through 2033. The platform will become the home for all Oscars‑related content, including red‑carpet coverage, the Governors Awards and the nominations announcement.
A Global Partnership
“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,” said academy chief executive Bill Kramer and academy president Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community.
Breaking Broadcast Tradition
This deal is the first of the big four awards shows—Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Tonys—to completely abandon broadcast television. It places one of the most‑watched non‑NFL broadcasts in the hands of Google.
YouTube’s Reach
YouTube boasts some 2 billion viewers worldwide, a figure that underscores the potential reach of the Oscars when streamed on the platform.
Free Global Streaming
The Academy Awards will stream for free worldwide on YouTube, and will also be available to YouTube TV subscribers. Audio tracks in many languages and closed captioning will accompany the broadcasts.
Financial Terms
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
YouTube’s Vision
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, chief executive of YouTube. “Partnering with the academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.
ABC’s Farewell Statement
“ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century,” the network said. “We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success.
Historical Context
NBC first televised the Oscars in 1953, but ABC picked up the rights in 1961. Aside from a brief period between 1971 and 1975 when NBC aired the show, the Oscars have been on ABC.
2025 Viewership
The 2025 Academy Awards were watched by 19.7 million viewers on ABC, a slight increase from the year before.
Key Takeaways
- The Oscars will move from ABC to YouTube in 2029, ending broadcast and launching free global streaming through 2033.
- 100th Oscars will air on ABC in 2028.
- YouTube will host all Oscars content, including red‑carpet coverage, Governors Awards, and nominations announcements.
The partnership marks a significant shift in how one of the world’s most prestigious film awards will be accessed, bringing the ceremony to a global digital audience and signaling a new era for televised awards.
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