In a landmark decision that signals a new era for Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the Oscars ceremony will be streamed exclusively on YouTube starting from 2029. This move ends a historic, decades-long television partnership with the American broadcaster ABC.
A New Digital Home for Hollywood's Biggest Night
The Academy revealed a new five-year agreement with Google-owned YouTube on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. This deal represents a radical shift for the film industry's most prestigious awards show, which has been broadcast on traditional television since its inception. The final Oscars broadcast on ABC will be the 100th Academy Awards in 2028.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor stated the decision was made to reach "the largest worldwide audience possible." They believe this digital move will benefit Academy members and the broader film community. The Oscars, which honour the year's top cinematic achievements and attract A-list celebrities, are typically watched by around 20 million viewers in the United States, with millions more tuning in globally.
Streaming Takes Centre Stage
This exclusive partnership with YouTube aligns with changing global viewing habits, as audiences increasingly consume content online. YouTube already accounts for the largest share of television viewing time on streaming platforms in the U.S., even surpassing giants like Netflix.
The Academy's statement highlighted that the collaboration will "leverage YouTube's vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement." While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, industry reports suggest the offer from YouTube was highly competitive.
This transition follows a broader trend of awards shows embracing streaming platforms. Notably, the SAG Awards (now rebranded as The Actors Awards) have already moved to Netflix. Streaming services, backed by Silicon Valley, have also gained more recognition at the Oscars themselves, with Apple winning Best Picture for "CODA" in 2022.
The End of an Era with ABC
ABC, which is owned by Disney, has been the broadcast home of the Oscars for over half a century. An ABC Entertainment spokesperson acknowledged the change, calling the network the "proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century." The spokesperson added that they look forward to the next three telecasts, including the centennial celebration in 2028.
The Oscars, like much of traditional Hollywood, have faced challenges in recent years. Ratings have fluctuated, especially among younger audiences. During the Covid-19 pandemic, viewership dropped to a low of 10.4 million. The most recent ceremony drew 19.69 million viewers—the highest in five years—partly due to a simultaneous live stream on Disney's Hulu alongside the ABC broadcast, though that stream experienced technical issues.
This definitive move to a digital-only platform from 2029 marks the end of one chapter and the bold beginning of another for the iconic Academy Awards.
