The Oscars move to YouTube: A global game-changer for movie lovers everywhere

In a historic move that signals the end of an era for traditional television, the Academy Awards are officially heading to YouTube.

On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a massive multiyear deal that grants YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars from 2029 through 2033.

This marks a major pivot for Hollywood’s most prestigious night, ending a partnership with ABC that dates all the way back to 1976.

For movie lovers around the world, this is incredibly exciting news.

The move is designed to meet audiences where they already are: online.

By shifting to a platform that boasts over 2 billion users, the ceremony will now reach a far greater number of viewers than ever before.

What this global deal includes

This isn't just about moving a broadcast from one screen to another; it is a total expansion of the Oscar experience.

Starting in 2029, the ceremony will stream live and free for viewers worldwide on YouTube, and will also be available for YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.

To make sure everyone can join the party, the platform is rolling out high-tech accessibility features like closed-captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages.

But the deal goes much deeper than just the awards night. YouTube will become the exclusive year-round home for all things Academy, including:

• Live Red-Carpet Coverage and behind-the-scenes programming.
• The Oscar Nominations Announcement and the Governors Ball.
• Exclusive interviews with Academy members and filmmakers.
• Special Ceremonies: For the first time, events like the Governors Awards, the Student Academy Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards will get a global spotlight.
• Educational Content: Film education programs, podcasts, and even digitised pieces of the Academy’s massive film collection via Google Arts & Culture.

Why the change?

The numbers tell the story. The Oscars have seen a steady decline in traditional TV viewership over the years.

The ceremony hit its all-time peak in 1998, when a record 55 million people tuned in to watch Titanic sweep the awards.

In contrast, the 2021 ceremony reached an all-time low of just 10.4 million viewers.

While the 2025 broadcast saw a nice bounce back to 19.7 million, it is clear that the "Big Four" awards shows are facing a new reality.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor shared their excitement in a joint statement: "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 Academy is an international organisation, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible, which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community."

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan sees the move as a way to bridge the gap between Hollywood’s history and its future: "The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honouring excellence in storytelling and artistry. Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy."

A bright future for film fans

While this is a seismic shift for the industry, viewers still have a few years of tradition left.

ABC will continue to air the ceremony through 2028, which conveniently includes the massive 100th-anniversary celebration.

It is worth noting that while the partnership is set in stone, the financial terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.

This move is so great because it removes the barriers of expensive TV packages and regional blackouts.

Now, no matter where in the world you are, you will have a front-row seat to the magic of the movies for free.

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