Oscars Bolts From ABC to YouTube Starting in 2029

In news that sent shock waves across the entertainment industry, the Oscars ceremony — which has aired on ABC since 1976 — will be moving to YouTube starting in 2029 and will be broadcast by the streamer through at least 2033, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday.

via: Deadline

YouTube has won the rights to host the Academy Awards starting in 2029.

The Google-owned service outbid other offers, including one from the Oscars’ longtime home ABC, which has been hosting the event since 1976. Disney’s deal runs through 2028.

YouTube’s first show will be the 101st Oscars ceremony, and its deal will run through 2033, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Wednesday in announcing the deal.

It is a major move for YouTube and marks a major shift as streaming takes on more and more live events. Netflix, for instance, has the SAG Awards, which has recently been rebranded as The Actors Awards for 2026.

It means that the Oscars, the red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content and Governors Ball access will be available for free around the world. The pact also includes access for YouTube for events such as include the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominations Announcement, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film education programs, and podcasts.

“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO, 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.”

While on the surface, the move appears to be a blow for ABC, whose exclusive negotiating window expired earlier this year, insiders suggest that it’s a relief. Deadline understands that the amount of money that the Academy was looking for and the amount that YouTube was willing to pay, didn’t make sense for Disney, which has modernized the event but has faced challenges given the nature of the types of films that generally make up the Oscar winners.

“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,” an ABC Entertainment spokeswoman said.

“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,” added Academy CEO 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. This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”

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I love the idea that the Oscars is going to YouTube. They won't have to cuck themselves to a specific runtime, and the host as well as the winners can be as unfiltered as they want. Also, people tend to watch streaming peograms than linear television, and I know the networks are trying to fight it with everything they've got, but the ratings are slipping every year on ABC. On YouTube it will reach a much bigger audience. As for will there be ads during the program once it hits YouTube remains to be seen.