Oscars to Stream on YouTube Starting 2029: Major Shift

The Academy Awards will transition to YouTube streaming starting in 2029, marking a significant shift from traditional television broadcasts. According to CNET, this multiyear deal grants YouTube exclusive rights to stream the Oscars globally until 2033, ending a partnership with ABC that began in 1976.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor stated their excitement about the partnership, emphasizing that it would expand access to the Oscars to a larger worldwide audience. Fortune highlights that the Oscars have struggled with viewership decline, peaking in 1998 with 55 million viewers, while recent broadcasts have drawn significantly fewer viewers.

The deal includes rights to red carpet coverage and behind-the-scenes programming, allowing YouTube to showcase more of the Oscars than ever before. Deadline describes this as a transformative move, enabling the Academy to control sponsorships and adapt to a modern audience's viewing habits, as younger generations increasingly consume content online.

The Academy aims to enhance its relevance and global reach, positioning itself as a cultural institution within the wider entertainment landscape. The final broadcast on ABC will occur in 2028 during the 100th Oscars, after which the ceremony will fully embrace streaming.