The Academy Awards, the most prestigious celebration in the film industry, is entering a new era. Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will air exclusively on YouTube, marking a historic shift from broadcast television to digital streaming. The decision by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) signals the end of an 80-year partnership with ABC, which has aired the iconic show since 1976. The move is one of the most consequential transitions in the entertainment industry’s history, redefining how global audiences will experience Hollywood’s biggest night.
A New Digital Stage for the Oscars
According to the Academy’s announcement, the transition to YouTube will extend beyond the main ceremony. The new deal includes global streaming rights for multiple Academy events such as the Governors Awards, nominations announcements, scientific and technical showcases, student and educational programs, and in-depth filmmaking interviews. Additionally, Google’s Arts & Culture division will collaborate with the Academy to digitize key artifacts and archives, expanding access to film history through online exhibitions and educational portals.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized that the partnership is about democratizing access to cinema’s most celebrated event. “The Academy is an international organization,” Kramer said. “This partnership with YouTube allows us to bring the Oscars to the largest global audience possible.” The move aligns with AMPAS’s ongoing effort to expand its digital footprint and engage a younger, more diversified audience.
From Red Carpet to Livestream
The decision to move exclusively to YouTube reflects a broader evolution in how audiences consume live events. Traditional television viewership has been steadily declining for major award shows, including the Oscars, which once drew audiences exceeding 50 million but recently struggled to attract even half that number. Younger viewers, in particular, have gravitated toward streaming platforms, short-form content, and live social media discussions rather than scheduled TV broadcasts.
By hosting the Oscars on YouTube, the Academy hopes to breathe new life into its broadcast format. The platform’s interactive capabilities—such as real-time chat, digital polls, and live community engagement—offer new ways for audiences to participate in the event. Streaming the ceremony worldwide also opens the door for real-time viewer statistics and engagement metrics, two tools that traditional television lacked. This transition could shape the Oscars into a more dynamic and inclusive experience rather than a passive viewing event.
End of an Era with ABC
The move to YouTube officially ends the Academy’s long-standing relationship with ABC, a network owned by The Walt Disney Company. ABC has been the home of the Oscars since the mid-1970s and will continue airing the event through its 100th edition in 2028. Over the decades, the partnership helped define the Oscars’ international prestige. Iconic hosts, emotional acceptance speeches, and record-breaking telecasts all unfolded under ABC’s banner. However, with changing viewer habits and increasing competition from digital platforms, the partnership became less lucrative over time.
Streaming rights agreements offer enormous flexibility for advertisers and sponsors. YouTube’s ad-based and subscription models will likely give brands the opportunity to target highly specific demographics while potentially reducing overhead broadcast costs for the Academy. The combination of global reach and flexible monetization could revive profitability for an event that has, in recent years, struggled to maintain its cultural and commercial dominance.
A Broader Trend in Awards Streaming
The Oscars’ migration to digital streaming is part of a larger trend in Hollywood’s adaptation to a rapidly changing media landscape. In 2023, Netflix secured exclusive streaming rights for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, transforming it into a successful live digital event. The Emmys have also experimented with hybrid distribution, offering simultaneous broadcasts across traditional networks and streaming platforms. These developments underline a common industry recognition: live-event television is no longer confined to cable or network programming.
Streaming platforms offer several advantages over traditional broadcasting:
– **Global Reach:** YouTube’s accessibility across mobile and smart devices ensures that the event can reach billions of potential viewers worldwide.
– **Interactive Engagement:** Enhanced features such as live chat, polls, and comments drive real-time audience involvement.
– **Longevity of Access:** Post-broadcast availability allows users to rewatch moments, clips, and highlights long after the event ends.
– **Data Insights:** Streaming provides detailed analytics on viewer behavior, enabling the Academy to measure success beyond simple ratings.
Redefining the Future of Cultural Events
AMPAS’s choice to embrace YouTube is both a response to the challenges of the streaming era and a sign of optimism for the medium’s potential. As major studios, artists, and audiences alike move online, legacy institutions like the Academy are compelled to innovate or risk irrelevance. YouTube’s global dominance—spanning 100+ countries and billions of monthly users—makes it a powerful partner for ensuring that the Oscars remain a universally recognized event.
Critics have noted the symbolic significance of this shift. The Oscars have long represented Hollywood’s highest standard of glamour and exclusivity, and moving to a free, publicly accessible platform signals a substantial democratization of that image. It also aligns with YouTube’s reputation as a platform that serves both established media powerhouses and independent creators, subtly connecting the old world of cinema with the participatory culture of the internet.
The Coming Transformation of the Oscars Experience
As the entertainment world prepares for this major transition, the 2028 ceremony—expected to be a centennial milestone—will serve as both a farewell to the broadcast era and a preview of the Academy Awards’ digital future. The 2029 livestream will not only mark the Oscars’ debut on YouTube but could also redefine what it means to host a global entertainment event. Expect more interactive segments, real-time fan voting, multilingual accessibility, and curated companion content ranging from behind-the-scenes vlogs to filmmaker roundtables.
If successful, this partnership could become the blueprint for other cultural institutions seeking to modernize longstanding broadcasts. The shift illustrates a growing reality: even the most traditional of Hollywood events must evolve with changing consumer habits. By embracing YouTube, the Oscars are not just chasing relevance—they are redefining what prestige looks like in the age of on-demand storytelling and digital participation.
