The Academy Awards, Hollywood’s most prestigious film ceremony, will transition to an exclusive global streaming partnership with YouTube starting in 2029, marking a significant departure from its longtime broadcast home, ABC. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the multi-year agreement on Wednesday, granting YouTube exclusive worldwide rights to the annual event through 2033. This landmark decision ushers in a new era for the Oscars, shifting its primary distribution channel from traditional linear television to a dominant digital platform.

Under the terms of the newly inked deal, the annual Academy Awards ceremony will be available live and free of charge to audiences across the globe via YouTube. This move underscores a strategic pivot by the Academy to broaden its international viewership and adapt to evolving media consumption habits. The comprehensive agreement secures YouTube’s position as the sole global platform for the Oscars for a five-year period, beginning with the 101st Academy Awards in 2029.

The decision concludes a remarkable half-century-long broadcasting relationship between the Oscars and ABC, a cornerstone of American television. Since 1976, ABC has been synonymous with the Academy Awards, providing a consistent viewing experience for generations of film enthusiasts. The network’s extensive coverage, including pre-shows and post-shows, became an integral part of the event’s cultural fabric, cementing its place as one of the most-watched live entertainment broadcasts annually.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized the global imperative behind the partnership. In a joint statement, they asserted, “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.” This vision prioritizes global accessibility and engagement, leveraging YouTube’s vast international reach to connect with a diverse audience of cinephiles.

This strategic shift occurs amidst a challenging period for live awards shows, which have witnessed a steady decline in viewership across various platforms. The 2025 Academy Awards, for instance, experienced a dip in ratings compared to the previous year, mirroring similar trends observed by other major ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Grammy Awards. Industry analysts attribute this decline to fragmented audiences, the rise of on-demand content, and a general erosion of linear television’s dominance, making a digital-first approach increasingly appealing.

The move also reflects a broader landscape of transformation within Hollywood itself, characterized by significant studio sales, consolidations, and unprecedented production cuts. Major entertainment conglomerates are actively re-evaluating their distribution strategies and investing heavily in streaming services to capture and retain subscribers. This volatile environment compels legacy institutions like the Academy to innovate and seek new pathways for relevance and reach in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem.

For YouTube, securing exclusive global rights to the Academy Awards represents a major coup, bolstering its credentials as a premier destination for live, high-profile entertainment. The platform, already a hub for user-generated content and professional productions, gains a marquee annual event that could significantly drive traffic, attract new users, and enhance its advertising revenue potential. This partnership positions YouTube as a direct competitor to traditional broadcasters and dedicated streaming services for premium live content.

The transition promises a potentially more interactive and universally accessible viewing experience for global audiences. Viewers will no longer require traditional cable subscriptions or specific regional broadcasters to watch the ceremony, democratizing access to Hollywood’s biggest night. The shift to a free, live stream on YouTube could also open avenues for innovative digital engagement, including multi-angle feeds, real-time commentary, and integrated social media interactions, enhancing the overall viewer journey.

This groundbreaking deal signals a potential paradigm shift in how major live events are broadcast and consumed worldwide. It underscores the growing power of global digital platforms to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and deliver content directly to consumers. As streaming continues to reshape the entertainment industry, the Oscars’ move to YouTube could serve as a blueprint for other cultural institutions seeking to expand their global footprint and engage with a digitally native audience. The long-term success of this partnership will likely influence future decisions regarding the distribution of high-value live programming.

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Keywords: Academy Awards, Oscars YouTube streaming, Live awards show, Hollywood streaming deal, ABC Oscars broadcast, Global film awards, Entertainment industry shift, Digital content distribution