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The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, will solely stream on YouTube starting in 2029, ending decades of broadcast tradition on US network ABC and marking the end of an era in television history. This bold decision is a reflection of the quickly evolving media consumption landscape, as digital platforms are gradually displacing traditional television. By providing millions of people with free, live streaming of the ceremony and related activities on one of the most popular online platforms, the decision is anticipated to increase accessibility to the Oscars for audiences worldwide.
The End of a Historic ABC Era, And The Rise of YouTube
The Oscars have been closely associated with ABC for a large portion of their contemporary history. ABC was the US broadcaster that started airing the awards on a regular basis in 1976 and continued to do so for almost fifty years. Because of this long-standing partnership, ABC became a mainstay of awards season television and carried Hollywood's greatest night into American living rooms.
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However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has had to reconsider how its flagship event reaches people around the world due to changing viewership patterns and diminishing TV ratings in recent years. Despite being one of the most watched in recent years, with about 20 million viewers in the US, the 2025 Oscars nonetheless mark a considerable decline from peak numbers decades earlier, when viewing frequently surpassed 40 million.
Beginning with the 101st Academy Awards in 2029 and continuing through 2033, the new multi-year arrangement with YouTube will allow the Oscars to be streamed live and for free on the video platform worldwide. The Oscars show, including live coverage of the main ceremony, behind-the-scenes content, the red carpet, and other related events like the Governors Awards and the release of Oscar nominations, will only be available on YouTube.
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Even while ABC will keep airing the Oscars until their centenary event in 2028, the switch to digital is a radical change for one of the most recognizable institutions in entertainment.
Why the Shift Matters—and What It Means for Viewers
Moving the Oscars to YouTube is more than just a new broadcast arrangement; it represents a larger shift in the way major live events are viewed by people worldwide. With more than two billion users globally, YouTube's enormous reach provides the Academy with a platform to engage with younger, more diverse consumers who are increasingly choosing streaming over traditional television.
Fans from all over the world will be able to watch the spectacle without being constrained by broadcast channels thanks to the agreement, which will include multilingual audio tracks and closed captions to increase accessibility.
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According to industry insiders, YouTube outbid rivals like NBCUniversal and even Disney, the parent company of ABC, to secure the exclusive rights for a reportedly $100 million contract, though the precise financial terms were not made public.
This change reflects the continued transformation of the entertainment ecosystem and coincides with other major award ceremonies experimenting with streaming arrangements. Many see the change as a chance to revitalize the Oscars' cultural significance and update a century-old tradition for the digital era, even though traditionalists might miss the familiar TV broadcast.
