Oscars to Move to YouTube Starting in 2029

The Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast via YouTube starting in 2029, marking a historic shift for Hollywood's most iconic event, which was for decades a staple of American broadcast television.

The announcement was made this Wednesday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The agreement between the Academy and YouTube will begin with the 101st edition of the Oscars in 2029 and extend through 2033. Since the 1970s, the gala had been broadcast live on the ABC network, a relationship that will end with this new contract.

"We are thrilled to begin a global, multifaceted partnership with YouTube, which will be the future home of the Oscars and our annual programming," stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint release. They emphasized that, as an international organization, the Academy seeks to broaden the reach of its content.

"This partnership will allow us to expand access to the Academy's work to the largest possible global audience, for the benefit of our members and the film community," they affirmed.

According to the institution's leaders, the agreement will leverage "the enormous reach of YouTube" and allow for new forms of audience interaction, while preserving the awards' historical legacy. The deal reflects YouTube's growing centrality in the audiovisual ecosystem and Hollywood's recognition of the power of digital platforms.

According to Nielsen data, YouTube accounted for the largest share of streaming TV viewing in the United States last month.

The decision comes amid declining Oscar viewership. The ceremony reached its peak in 1998, when "Titanic" won 11 statues and attracted about 55 million viewers. The most recent broadcast drew nearly 20 million, an improvement from the pandemic years but far below its historical highs.

"The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, celebrating excellence in storytelling and artistry," said YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. "This partnership will enable us to inspire a new generation of creators and film lovers around the world, while also respecting the awards' legacy."

According to the Academy, the awards ceremony—including the red carpet and behind-the-scenes content—will be available live and free globally via YouTube. In the United States, it will also be viewable through YouTube TV.