Oscars to Stream Live on YouTube in 2029
▼ Summary
– The Oscars will broadcast exclusively on YouTube and YouTube TV globally, starting in 2029 and continuing through 2033.
– YouTube’s coverage will include the main ceremony, red carpet events, behind-the-scenes content, and Governors Ball access.
– ABC will retain the broadcast rights for the Oscars through the 100th edition of the show in 2028.
– Academy leadership stated the partnership aims to leverage YouTube’s reach and create new engagement opportunities for the Oscars.
– This move follows a similar industry trend, as Netflix began streaming the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2024 under a multi-year deal.
The Oscars are set to make a historic move to a new digital home, marking a significant shift in how major award ceremonies are broadcast. Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will broadcast exclusively on YouTube for free globally and on YouTube TV in the United States. This multi-year partnership, which runs through 2033, was announced by YouTube and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The arrangement represents a major strategic shift for the Academy, moving the ceremony from traditional network television to a dominant global streaming platform.
Under the new agreement, YouTube’s coverage will extend beyond the main ceremony. Viewers can expect comprehensive access to the red carpet arrivals, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and special coverage of the prestigious Governors Ball. This expanded digital footprint aims to create a more immersive experience for a worldwide audience. The Academy’s leadership emphasized that the partnership is designed to leverage YouTube’s massive international reach and introduce innovative formats for audience engagement, all while respecting the event’s long-standing legacy.
For the immediate future, the transition will be gradual. ABC will continue to hold the broadcast rights through the milestone 100th edition of the Oscars in 2028. This gives the traditional television audience several more years of familiar viewing before the digital switch. Rumors about YouTube’s interest in acquiring the Oscars had been circulating in the industry earlier this year, making this official announcement the culmination of those discussions.
This move aligns with a broader trend of major awards shows exploring digital distribution. Notably, Netflix entered a similar arena by beginning to stream the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2024 as part of its own multi-year deal. The Oscars’ migration to YouTube underscores the accelerating convergence of prestige entertainment and digital platforms, fundamentally changing how global audiences experience these iconic cultural events.
(Source: The Verge)
