YouTube to Host Exclusive Oscars Broadcast Beginning 2029, Academy Announces

Starting in 2029, the Oscars will be streamed exclusively on YouTube, marking a historic shift in how audiences worldwide will experience Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony. The announcement, made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ends a decades-long broadcast partnership with ABC, which has traditionally aired the Oscars in the United States. The new multi-year agreement with the Google-owned streaming platform reflects a broader transformation in the entertainment industry, where traditional television networks are increasingly competing with digital and streaming services for viewership.

“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 President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. This partnership is not only focused on the annual awards broadcast but also aims to expand the Academy’s programming across the year, leveraging YouTube’s global reach to engage audiences in new ways.

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, celebrate outstanding achievements in film and regularly attract Hollywood’s A-list stars to a Hollywood theater. The ceremony has long been one of the entertainment industry’s flagship events, drawing millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. Historically, the Oscars have been broadcast on ABC, with viewership in the United States often reaching tens of millions. However, evolving viewing habits, particularly among younger audiences, have led the Academy to explore digital-first strategies to maintain engagement and relevance.

ABC’s current contract to broadcast the Oscars was set to expire in 2028, coinciding with the milestone 100th Academy Awards. Under the new arrangement, ABC will continue to air the show through that year, but from 2029 onwards, YouTube will serve as the sole platform for the ceremony. The move to an online-exclusive format reflects the entertainment industry’s acknowledgment that streaming platforms are becoming central to the way people consume media. The shift is also significant because it represents a major departure from traditional broadcast television at a time when networks have been struggling to maintain audience numbers.

The decision comes as Hollywood faces a period of adjustment, navigating changing viewer preferences and declining traditional ratings. The most recent Oscars ceremony attracted approximately 19.69 million viewers in the United States, a notable improvement from prior years. That year’s broadcast benefited from being simulcast on Disney’s streaming service Hulu alongside ABC, offering audiences more flexibility in how they watched. Despite some technical issues affecting Hulu viewers, the broadcast was reported to be the most-watched Oscars in five years, indicating that streaming can complement traditional television broadcasts effectively.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on Oscars viewership, with ratings plummeting to as low as 10.4 million. This represented a dramatic decline compared to peak viewership just a decade ago, when the ceremony regularly drew over 40 million viewers. The pandemic accelerated shifts in how audiences consume content, with streaming platforms becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger demographics who are less likely to watch linear television. This trend has led Hollywood to reassess the long-term strategy for major events such as the Oscars, seeking to retain their cultural relevance while adapting to new viewing behaviors.

The move to YouTube also signals a strategic effort by the Academy to expand its global reach. YouTube, with its enormous international user base, provides opportunities to connect with audiences in regions where traditional U.S. broadcasts may not have had strong penetration. By leveraging digital tools, the Academy can offer interactive features, on-demand content, and year-round programming that keeps fans engaged beyond the annual ceremony. This represents a broader industry trend in which traditional entertainment institutions are embracing digital-first approaches to secure their future.

Industry observers note that the transition to streaming-only broadcasting is emblematic of Hollywood’s ongoing evolution. As studios and networks contend with declining linear television ratings and competition from global streaming platforms, digital-first strategies are becoming increasingly vital. The partnership with YouTube not only ensures a new platform for viewers but also positions the Oscars as a forward-thinking event that embraces the realities of modern media consumption.

While ABC’s departure marks the end of a long-standing era, the Academy appears confident that YouTube will provide the flexibility, reach, and technological innovation needed to sustain the Oscars’ relevance in the coming decades. For film fans around the world, 2029 will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the way Hollywood’s most celebrated night is experienced, blending tradition with the digital-first future of entertainment.