Streaming replaces broadcast television: YouTube has acquired the rights to broadcast the Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a revolutionary change in the broadcast of the prestigious awards. Starting in 2029, Google-owned YouTube will have exclusive rights to stream the Oscar ceremony. This marks the end of a decades-long partnership with ABC, which has broadcast the event uninterrupted since 1976.

YouTube’s first project on this platform will be the 101st awards ceremony in 2029, with the deal lasting until 2033. During this time, ABC will continue broadcasting through 2028 inclusive. The specific financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed to the public.

Global Broadcast for a Million-Strong Audience

The ceremony will be available free live for over 2 billion potential viewers worldwide on YouTube, as well as for American YouTube TV users. This scale of distribution indicates an effort to expand audience reach through digital channels.

Response to Ratings Decline

The decision to transfer rights to a streaming service was made amid a prolonged decline in viewer interest in traditional broadcast television. Over the past two and a half decades, the audience has shrunk from a peak of 55 million in 1998 to approximately 20 million today. This trend has prompted the Academy to actively seek new communication channels with its viewer base.

Expanded Content Beyond the Ceremony

The partnership is not limited to broadcasting the main event. YouTube will cover the red carpet, behind-the-scenes footage, nominee announcements, interviews with filmmakers and Academy members, access to the Governors Ball, educational programs on film history, podcast series, and additional materials.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Linette Howell Taylor stated: “We are pleased to initiate a multi-faceted global partnership with YouTube. This will allow us to bring the Academy’s achievements to the widest possible audience and increase the significance of our work for members and the film industry as a whole.”

Streaming as the New Entertainment Norm

YouTube CEO Neil Mohan emphasized the cultural significance of this deal: “The Oscars are a recognized global institution of art. Our partnership will present this celebration of talent to a new generation of creators and film enthusiasts, while maintaining the long-standing tradition of this prestigious award.”

This move signifies a notable shift in the media landscape. While Netflix has already acquired rights to stream the SAG Awards, the historic moment is that for the first time, one of the four major awards (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys) fully transitions from traditional broadcast television to digital streaming, signaling a profound transformation of the television industry.