In a landmark shift for Hollywood’s entertainment landscape, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a revolutionary broadcasting partnership. Beginning in 2029, the prestigious Academy Awards ceremony will transition from traditional network television to exclusive global streaming on YouTube under a multi-year agreement extending through 2033.
The historic decision, unveiled Wednesday, concludes the Oscars’ half-century broadcast relationship with ABC. The 2029 ceremony, scheduled for March 15, will mark the inaugural YouTube-exclusive event, offering worldwide viewers free live access without subscription barriers.
Academy leadership framed the move as a strategic expansion of their global reach. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible,” stated CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint announcement. They emphasized the benefits for both Academy members and the broader film community.
This seismic shift occurs amid industry-wide challenges including declining award show ratings, studio consolidations, and production cutbacks. The 2025 Oscars continued a concerning trend of viewership erosion that has similarly affected the Golden Globes and Grammy Awards.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan celebrated the partnership, characterizing the Oscars as “one of our essential cultural institutions” and promising to “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
ABC acknowledged the transition gracefully, expressing anticipation for “the next three telecasts” remaining under their broadcast stewardship before the YouTube era begins.