Oscars to Stream Exclusively on YouTube Starting in 2029

LOS ANGELES, California — Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will be available solely on YouTube, marking a significant shift from the event's traditional broadcast on ABC. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed on Wednesday that the new multi-year agreement with the Google-owned platform will make it the exclusive global home for the prestigious film awards and related year-round programming.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "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."

The Oscars, which annually honor outstanding achievements in cinema and attract Hollywood's elite, typically draw an audience of approximately 20 million viewers in the United States, with millions more tuning in worldwide.

ABC's contract to broadcast the ceremony is set to expire in 2028, coinciding with the 100th edition of the Awards. The Disney-owned network will continue airing the event until then.

Transitioning to an exclusive streaming platform reflects a broader industry evolution amid changing viewing habits, particularly among younger audiences, and the increasing prominence of digital media in Hollywood.

The most recent Oscars broadcast attracted nearly 19.7 million viewers, aided by its simultaneous live streaming on Hulu — also owned by Disney — which helped deliver the ceremony's highest ratings in five years despite technical issues affecting some viewers during the final moments.

While the pandemic caused viewership to plummet to as low as 10.4 million, the Oscars once regularly captivated over 40 million viewers a decade ago. This new deal with YouTube signals an innovative approach to audience engagement for one of the entertainment industry's marquee events.