Oscars Move to YouTube in Landmark Streaming Deal
In a landmark decision, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has inked a multi-year agreement with YouTube, positioning the popular streaming platform as the exclusive global broadcaster for the Academy Awards. This significant transition, set to commence with the 101st Academy Awards in 2029 and extending through 2033, marks a profound evolution in how audiences can experience Hollywood's most prestigious ceremony.
The comprehensive deal promises to democratize access to the Oscars, offering live, complimentary streams of the main event, alongside extensive red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and even access to the coveted Governors Ball. The Academy highlighted YouTube's capacity to cater to its expanding international viewership through features like closed captioning and multi-language audio tracks, underscoring a commitment to global inclusivity.
This move to streaming services reflects a broader trend within the awards landscape. Last year saw Netflix begin broadcasting the Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), and the 97th Academy Awards ceremony itself experimented with dual live broadcasts on Hulu and ABC.
While the 2025 Oscars achieved a five-year rating high with 19.7 million viewers, recovering from pandemic-induced declines, the Academy also noted "dramatic growth" in engagement among younger demographics consuming content digitally. Despite this recent surge, overall Oscar viewership has seen a long-term decrease, a stark contrast to the 43 million viewers who tuned in for the 2014 ceremony.
Beyond the main awards show, the dedicated Oscars YouTube channel will become a hub for a wealth of Academy-related content. Viewers can anticipate live streams and on-demand access to events such as the Governors Awards, the nominations announcement, the nominees luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards. Furthermore, the platform will feature in-depth interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, educational programs focused on cinema, and a selection of podcasts, enriching the year-round engagement with the film community.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership, describing it as a "multifaceted global partnership" that will define the future home of the Oscars and the Academy's year-round programming. They emphasized that this collaboration will amplify the Academy's international reach, benefiting its members and the wider film community by providing unprecedented global access to cinematic achievements and history. The partnership is expected to harness YouTube's extensive platform to introduce innovative engagement strategies while honoring the Oscars' esteemed legacy, fostering a new generation of filmmakers and cinephiles.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed this sentiment, calling the Oscars an "essential cultural institution" that celebrates storytelling and artistry. He believes the partnership will ignite creativity and a passion for film among a global audience, all while preserving the storied tradition of the Academy Awards.
