YouTube has secured the exclusive streaming rights for the Oscars starting from 2029, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday, outbidding competitors including ABC.
The agreement, which covers the 101st Oscars in 2029 and extends through 2033, marks a significant shift in the broadcasting of the prestigious awards ceremony. ABC will continue to air the ceremony until 2028. Although the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, the partnership is expected to broaden the audience reach of the Oscars, which has seen a decline in viewership from a peak of 55 million in 1998 to around 20 million in recent years. The Oscars will be available to stream live and free on YouTube to over 2 billion viewers worldwide, as well as to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.
The decline in Oscar viewership has been a concern, and this new agreement aims to address it by expanding the ceremony’s reach. “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,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. “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.”
YouTube’s coverage of the Oscars will be comprehensive, including the ceremony itself, red carpet arrivals, behind-the-scenes content, nominations announcements, interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, Governors Ball access, film education programs, podcasts, and additional programming. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry. 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.”
