Cinema’s biggest night is leaving traditional television behind. In a landmark shift for the film industry, the Academy Awards will move from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029, per ew.com.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has signed a multi-year exclusive deal with YouTube, granting the platform global rights to the ceremony through 2033. The four-year agreement ensures the Oscars—including red carpet coverage and the Governors Ball—will stream live and free for viewers worldwide, as well as for YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.
The move marks the end of a 52-year partnership with ABC, which has broadcast the event since 1976. ABC will retain the rights through 2028, concluding its tenure with the historic 100th ceremony.
This transition represents the most significant change in the event’s history since it first aired on NBC in 1953. Academy leadership aims to use YouTube’s infrastructure to reach a younger, global audience through features like multi-language audio tracks and enhanced closed captioning.
“This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars with innovative opportunities for engagement while honouring our legacy,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan added that the partnership would “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers” by making the celebration of artistry accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
While the digital future looms, the immediate focus remains on traditional broadcast. The 2026 Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, are scheduled to air on ABC on Sunday, 15 March.
