Oscars Head to YouTube: Academy's Streaming Revolution

LOS ANGELES - 1990: A view of 11 Oscars statues lined up next to each other in 1990 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Santi Visalli/Getty Images)

A New Era for the Oscars: From TV to YouTube

The Oscars ceremony has been televised on ABC since 1961, after it picked up the rights from NBC. However, this long-standing partnership is set to change. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday, December 17, that it has signed a "multi-year deal" with YouTube, beginning in 2029. This means that YouTube will have the "exclusive global rights to the Oscars" starting with its 101st ceremony, with the streaming deal running through 2033.

According to Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor, the shift from broadcast TV to YouTube is aimed at expanding access to the Academy's work and reaching "the latest worldwide audience possible." They stated:

"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 CEO Neal Mohan added in a separate statement that partnering with "one of our essential cultural institutions" will "inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers" while still staying true to the Oscars' legacy.

ABC Will Continue Broadcasting Until 2028

Although the deal with YouTube takes effect in 2029, ABC will still broadcast the Oscars for the next three years. ABC also released a statement expressing their excitement about the upcoming telecasts, including the Oscar's centennial celebration in 2028.

This transition marks a significant shift in how the Oscars are distributed, signaling a move toward digital platforms and broader accessibility. It also reflects the evolving landscape of media consumption, where streaming services are becoming the primary way people engage with content.

Expanding Access Through YouTube

YouTube getting the broadcast rights for the Oscars ceremony is just one part of the deal between the streaming platform and the Academy. The other part of their newly inked "multifaceted global partnership" includes giving YouTube rights to a significant amount of related content of the Academy.

This means that the red carpet preshows and behind-the-scenes in-show content will also be available on YouTube. Additionally, YouTube will have the rights to broadcast the Oscars nominations announcement and the Governors Awards, where the Academy presents honorary Oscars, among others.

Other related content that YouTube will have the rights to starting in 2029 includes the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards Ceremony, and the Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony. Interviews with Academy members and filmmakers will also be released through YouTube.

Supporting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

The Hollywood Reporter also reported that the Google Arts & Culture initiative will support the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures as part of the new deal. This collaboration is reportedly designed to provide digital access to exhibitions and other programs. It will also help digitize a significant part of the over 52 million items from the Academy collection.

This partnership not only enhances the visibility of the Academy's work but also ensures that its vast collection becomes more accessible to a global audience.

Global Reach and Future Plans

YouTube's press release on Wednesday stated that the Oscars will be available for streaming for their YouTube TV subscribers and over a billion users worldwide. This expansion of access underscores the growing influence of streaming platforms in shaping how audiences engage with major cultural events.

Oscars will continue its domestic partnership with ABC and international partnership with Disney until 2028, ensuring a smooth transition as the event moves into the digital era.

This shift represents a bold step forward for the Oscars, positioning it to reach a wider and more diverse audience while maintaining its status as one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry.