In a move that signals the end of an era, the Oscars are leaving traditional television behind.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday that YouTube will become the exclusive global home of the Academy Awards starting in 2029.
This marks the first time one of entertainment’s “big four” award shows has completely abandoned broadcast television for streaming.
For decades, ABC has been synonymous with Oscar night—but that’s about to change in a way that could reshape how millions experience Hollywood’s biggest celebration.
The End of an ABC Era
ABC has broadcast the Oscars for more than half a century, picking up rights in 1961 after NBC’s initial run in 1953. Aside from a brief NBC stint between 1971 and 1975, the Walt Disney Co.-owned network has been the ceremony’s home.
That partnership will continue through 2028, which marks the 100th Academy Awards—a fitting milestone for the final broadcast television ceremony.
ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century. 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.
The network’s statement was diplomatic, but the subtext is clear: an iconic television partnership is ending as streaming reshapes entertainment consumption.
Why YouTube Won the Bidding War
The Academy had options. Netflix, NBC Universal’s Peacock, and other streaming giants were likely contenders.
But YouTube’s 2 billion global viewers proved irresistible.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized the global reach that influenced their decision.
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. 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.
Unlike platforms requiring subscriptions, YouTube will stream the Oscars completely free worldwide. YouTube TV subscribers will also have access.
The broadcast will feature audio tracks in multiple languages plus closed captioning—a truly global approach that traditional television couldn’t match.
What YouTube Gets Beyond the Ceremony
This isn’t just about three hours of awards and speeches. YouTube secures global rights through 2033 for everything Oscar-related:
- Red carpet coverage that generates millions of views
- The Governors Awards honoring lifetime achievement
- Oscar nominations announcements that spark immediate buzz
- Year-round Academy programming and exclusive content
YouTube essentially becomes the complete ecosystem for Academy content, not just a one-night broadcaster.
Neal Mohan, YouTube’s chief executive, framed the partnership as both honoring tradition and embracing evolution.
The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry. 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.
The Viewership Reality Behind the Move
Oscar ratings have been declining for years, making this shift less shocking than it might have been a decade ago.
The 2025 ceremony drew 19.7 million viewers on ABC—a slight increase from 2024, and still one of television’s biggest non-NFL broadcasts.
But compare that to 1999, when more than 55 million people watched “Titanic” sweep the awards. That’s less than half the peak viewership.
Meanwhile, YouTube dominates where eyeballs have migrated. According to Nielsen data from November, YouTube accounted for 12.9% of all television and streaming content consumed. Netflix ranked second at just 8.3%.
Perhaps most critically, young people overwhelmingly prefer YouTube over traditional platforms—exactly the demographic Hollywood desperately needs to engage.
A First Among Award Show Equals
While award shows have experimented with streaming partnerships, none of the “big four”—Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Tonys—had completely abandoned broadcast television until now.
This makes the Oscars both a pioneer and a test case.
If successful, expect the other major ceremonies to follow suit. If viewership stumbles or production challenges emerge, it could slow the streaming migration.
YouTube lacks the established production infrastructure of traditional networks, which could present challenges for a live event known for technical complexity and precise timing.
What This Means for Viewers
For audiences, the changes could be largely positive:
- No cable subscription required to watch Hollywood’s biggest night
- Global simultaneous access without geographic restrictions
- Multiple language options expanding international engagement
- Potential for interactive features YouTube could develop
- Year-round Oscar content in one centralized location
Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but the Academy clearly prioritized reach over revenue from a traditional broadcast deal.
Whether this gamble pays off won’t be known until 2029, when viewers worldwide tune in—or open their browsers—to see if YouTube can deliver the glamour, technical precision, and cultural moment that broadcast television has provided for generations.
One thing is certain: the way we watch the Oscars will never be the same.