Thursday, December 18, 2025 - The Oscars will make a historic shift from traditional broadcast television to streaming, with YouTube set to host the Academy Awards beginning in 2029.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced
that YouTube has signed a multi-year agreement granting it exclusive global
rights to stream the Oscars. The deal will run through 2033 and marks a major
turning point for the entertainment industry as it continues to move away from
legacy television toward digital platforms.
ABC, owned by Disney, has aired the Oscars for decades and
will continue broadcasting the ceremony through 2028. In recent weeks, the
Academy had been shopping the rights to future telecasts, fueling speculation
that a major technology company would emerge as the new home of the awards.
YouTube ultimately outbid ABC and other potential partners, though financial
details of the agreement were not disclosed.
YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan described the Oscars as one of the
world’s most important cultural institutions, saying the partnership would help
inspire a new generation of creators and film lovers while respecting the
ceremony’s long-standing legacy.
The move highlights the growing influence of streaming
platforms such as YouTube and Netflix, which have reshaped how audiences
consume entertainment. In Hollywood, reactions have been mixed, with some
creatives seeing the shift as a bold evolution and others viewing it as a
symbolic break from tradition.
Despite the industry’s digital transformation, the Oscars
continue to prioritize theatrical releases. Many award-winning films still
debut at major festivals and in cinemas before eventually reaching streaming
platforms. For example, the 2025 Best Picture winner premiered at the Cannes
Film Festival, enjoyed a theatrical run, and later became available on
streaming months afterward
ABC acknowledged the transition in a statement, noting its
long history with the Oscars and expressing anticipation for the final three
broadcasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, while wishing
the Academy continued success in the years ahead.
With YouTube taking over in 2029, the Oscars are set to enter
a new era—one that reflects changing viewing habits and the growing dominance
of digital platforms in global entertainment.
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