The Oscars Are Moving to YouTube: Academy Signs Landmark Streaming Deal Starting 2029

In a massive shake-up for broadcast television, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that the Academy Awards will move exclusively to YouTube, starting in 2029. This landmark deal ends the Oscars' decades-long run on ABC and marks the first time Hollywood's biggest night will be a digital-first exclusive event. 

YouTube secured exclusive global rights for the Oscars ceremony from 2029 through 2033. This change is intended to connect with younger and global audiences and adapt to shifts in how people watch content. 

The ceremony will be available to stream live and for free around the world on YouTube. The partnership includes additional content such as red carpet and behind-the-scenes access. 

ABC, owned by Disney, has aired the Oscars for over 50 years and will broadcast the ceremony until their current contract ends after the 2028 show. The Academy views the YouTube move as a way to leverage the platform's broad reach. According to Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor, the partnership aims to make the Academy's work more accessible to a wider global audienc