The Academy Awards are embarking on their most significant transformation in decades with an exclusive partnership that brings the Oscars to YouTube from 2029 through 2033. This four-year agreement represents a definitive move from traditional broadcast television to digital streaming, positioning YouTube as the exclusive global home for cinema’s premier awards night.
YouTube’s comprehensive package extends well beyond the main ceremony broadcast. The platform will offer worldwide audiences access to red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball content, the Governors Awards ceremony, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, student filmmaker recognitions, continuous educational programming, podcasts, and extensive filmmaker interviews—creating unprecedented year-round Academy content availability.
The Academy’s leadership presented this decision as strategically aligned with their increasingly international membership composition. With over 20% of voters now based outside America, partnering with a globally accessible platform enables the organization to better fulfill its mission of serving the worldwide film community without geographic restrictions.
YouTube’s credentials include its position as America’s most-watched streaming platform and demonstrated capability for major live event broadcasting. The platform’s recent NFL game attracted more than 17 million viewers, proving its infrastructure can support the technical demands and global audience of an event as prestigious as the Oscars.
Industry sources indicate multiple major entertainment companies competed for these rights, with reported interest from Netflix and NBCUniversal. Disney’s ABC, which paid approximately $100 million annually for broadcast rights, will host three final ceremonies including the significant 100th anniversary celebration in 2028 before YouTube takes over.