In what represents one of the most significant shifts in awards show history, YouTube has secured exclusive worldwide rights to broadcast the Academy Awards from 2029 through 2033. This pioneering agreement transforms the Oscars from a traditional television event into a globally accessible digital streaming experience.
The expansive partnership goes far beyond simply streaming the main ceremony. YouTube will provide audiences with unprecedented access to the complete Oscars universe, including red carpet arrivals, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, Governors Ball content, the Governors Awards ceremony, nomination reveals, the nominees Luncheon, and the student Academy awards, alongside continuous educational programming and podcasts.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor described the partnership as perfectly aligned with their mission to serve a global film community. With international membership now comprising more than one-fifth of Academy voters, the organization recognizes the necessity of partnering with a platform that can deliver content seamlessly to audiences regardless of geographic location.
YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan expressed his commitment to honoring the Oscars’ storied tradition while simultaneously fostering new generations of creative talent and film appreciation. The platform’s recent performance metrics, including achieving the highest streaming viewership share in the United States, underscore its capability to serve as the Oscars’ new home.
Industry analysts note the deal’s timing coincides with YouTube TV’s trajectory toward becoming America’s largest pay-TV service, with 9.4 million subscribers as of April. Meanwhile, traditional networks face declining viewership, with this year’s ABC broadcast drawing 19.7 million viewers, a fraction of the 57 million who watched in 1998.