In a seismic shift for the entertainment industry, the Oscars are set to abandon traditional broadcast television for a new home on YouTube. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced an exclusive, multi-year partnership with the video platform that will fundamentally change how the world watches Hollywood's most prestigious awards ceremony.
A New Digital Era for the Academy Awards
The landmark deal grants YouTube exclusive global rights to the Oscars for a four-year period, commencing in 2029 and running through to 2033. This move represents a decisive pivot from linear broadcasting to a digital-first strategy for the Academy. The agreement encompasses far more than just the main ceremony; it includes comprehensive red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive access to the prestigious Governors Ball.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor heralded the partnership as a major step forward for the organisation's global reach. In a joint statement, they expressed that the Academy, as an international body, saw the YouTube deal as the perfect vehicle to "expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible." They believe this will benefit both Academy members and the wider film community.
Beyond the Ceremony: A Year-Round Partnership
The scope of the YouTube deal is remarkably extensive, aiming to create a year-round digital home for the Academy. Subscribers and viewers can expect access to a wide array of events and content, including:
- The Governors Awards and the nominations announcement.
- The Nominees Luncheon and the Student Academy Awards.
- Exclusive interviews with Academy members and filmmakers.
- Educational film programmes and official Academy podcasts.
Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, stated that the platform hopes the collaboration will "inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy." This move aligns with a broader industry trend, following Netflix's acquisition of the rights to the Screen Actors Guild (now Actor) Awards in 2023.
Context and the Future of Awards Broadcasting
This historic shift comes as the Oscars seek to bolster their international appeal, with the Academy having worked in recent years to diversify its voting body. Currently, 21% of Oscar voters are now from outside the United States. The announcement follows ABC's broadcast of the 2024 ceremony, which saw a slight ratings increase to 19.7 million viewers in the US, a night dominated by Sean Baker's comedy-drama Anora.
An ABC spokesperson acknowledged the change, noting, "ABC has been the proud home to the Oscars for more than half a century. We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy continued success."
Looking ahead, the film industry is already anticipating next year's ceremony, which will feature the inaugural Oscar for Best Casting. Nominations for that milestone event will be announced in January 2025.
