The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a transformative partnership that will see the Oscars transition exclusively to YouTube for a four-year period beginning in 2029. This groundbreaking decision represents the culmination of broader industry trends favoring streaming platforms over traditional broadcast television.
YouTube’s comprehensive deal includes rights to stream not only the main awards ceremony but also provides global audiences with access to extensive supplementary content. This includes red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball footage, and year-round Academy programming encompassing educational initiatives, filmmaker interviews, podcasts, and various awards ceremonies including the Governors Awards and student Academy awards.
The Academy’s leadership emphasized how this partnership serves their increasingly international membership base. With 21% of voters now located outside America, the organization views this move as essential for ensuring equitable access to Academy content and fostering stronger connections with the global filmmaking community.
YouTube’s proven track record in streaming gives the Academy confidence in this transition. The platform consistently ranks as the most-watched streaming service in America and recently demonstrated its live event capabilities by broadcasting an NFL game to more than 17 million viewers, showcasing its infrastructure’s ability to handle high-profile, large-scale broadcasts.
The announcement has generated considerable industry discussion, with some Academy members reportedly expressing concerns about moving away from traditional broadcast. However, the Academy has three more years with ABC, including the centennial celebration in 2028, to prepare for this historic transition to the digital era.