In a landmark move that will reshape how the world watches Hollywood's biggest night, the Oscars are set to leave traditional television for a digital future. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a new exclusive partnership with YouTube, which will become the global home of the Academy Awards from 2029.
A Historic Shift in Broadcasting
The deal, announced on Wednesday 17th December 2025, marks the end of an era. For most of its history, the Oscars ceremony has been broadcast by the ABC network in the United States. 2028 will be its final year on ABC, coinciding with the awards' 100th anniversary celebration. From 2029 through to 2033, YouTube, owned by Google, will hold the exclusive global rights.
This transition means the annual film awards will be available live and for free to YouTube's vast audience of over two billion users worldwide. In the United States, the show will also be accessible to YouTube TV subscribers. The partnership extends beyond the main ceremony to encompass all Oscars-related programming, including red-carpet coverage, the Governors Awards, and the Oscar nominations announcement.
Expanding Global Access and Inspiring New Audiences
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor expressed their enthusiasm for the new direction. They stated the multifaceted global partnership "will allow us to expand access to the work of the academy to the largest worldwide audience possible." The shift to a free, digital-first platform is a clear strategy to combat declining linear TV viewership and engage a younger, global demographic.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan highlighted the cultural significance of the move, calling the Oscars an essential institution that honours storytelling. "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," he said. To enhance accessibility, the broadcasts will be available with multi-language audio tracks and closed captioning.
The End of a Broadcast Era
The decision concludes a broadcast relationship spanning decades. NBC first televised the Oscars in 1953, but ABC picked up the rights in 1961. Aside from a brief period between 1971 and 1975 when NBC aired the show again, ABC has been the ceremony's home. The move to YouTube reflects the stark reality of changing viewership habits. While last year's Academy Awards on Disney-owned ABC drew 19.7 million viewers—a five-year high—it pales in comparison to the show's peak audience of 57 million in 1998.
This seismic shift from network television to a global streaming platform signifies a new chapter for the Oscars, prioritising universal, free access over traditional pay-TV models. The world will be watching in 2029 to see how this digital transformation unfolds for cinema's most prestigious night.
