The Oscars on YouTube will begin in 2029 after the Academy agreed to move the telecast off ABC, ending a decades-long broadcast run; ABC keeps the show through the 100th ceremony in 2028 as Hollywood’s biggest night shifts to streaming for wider global reach.
What changed: the Oscars move from broadcast TV to YouTube
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029, with a multi-year agreement that runs through 2033.
That means ABC—owned by Disney—will remain the home of the Academy Awards through 2028, which is also positioned as the event’s 100th ceremony.
The YouTube deal is described as a package that goes beyond the main telecast, including expanded live coverage and additional Academy-related programming.
When it starts and what happens before then
ABC’s current rights keep the Oscars on broadcast TV until 2028—an extension that has been in place for years and locked in ABC’s home status through that date.
Between now and the 2029 switch, the Academy is still running its annual Oscar-season calendar. For example, the 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with nominations announced January 22, 2026.
Key timeline: from ABC era to YouTube era
| Year | Where viewers watch the main Oscars telecast | What it signifies |
| 1976 | ABC begins its long run as primary Oscars broadcaster | ABC becomes the consistent home from 1976 onward |
| 2016 | ABC/Academy agreement extended through 2028 | Sets the end date for the current broadcast era |
| 2028 | Final ABC Oscars telecast under the current arrangement | Also billed as the 100th ceremony milestone |
| 2029–2033 | Exclusive streaming on YouTube | First Oscars era designed primarily for streaming distribution |
What “Oscars on YouTube” is expected to include
The Academy’s new plan is framed as more than a platform switch. The partnership is positioned as expanded distribution for Oscar-week content—pairing the main ceremony with additional live coverage and Academy programming.
What the package includes (as announced)
| Programming element | How it’s described under the YouTube deal |
| Main Oscars telecast | Exclusive streaming on YouTube globally beginning 2029 |
| Red carpet & behind-the-scenes | Included as part of expanded coverage |
| Accessibility features | Closed captioning and multilingual audio tracks are part of the rollout |
| Additional Academy programming | Included in the broader streaming slate |
Why the Academy is making the move now
Global reach and changing viewing habits
The Oscars remain a major live event, but audience behavior has changed. Recent telecasts improved from the immediate past, yet remain far below historic highs—one reason the Academy is emphasizing wider reach across devices and regions.
YouTube’s scale and living-room growth
YouTube has highlighted its global user base in official materials, supporting its pitch as a mass-reach video platform.
Measurement firms have also pointed to YouTube’s growing share of TV viewing time in 2025, strengthening the case for major live events on streaming-first distribution.
Rights economics: broadcast pressure vs platform flexibility
Financial terms were not publicly disclosed. Still, the shift reflects broader pressure on traditional TV economics and the rise of platforms that can monetize through a mix of global advertising inventory and digital distribution models.
What changes for viewers and the industry
For viewers, the move could reduce friction in many regions by making the show easier to access on phones, tablets, and connected TVs. At the same time, it will likely reshape how Oscar-night success is measured, as streaming emphasizes total watch time, engagement, and global reach alongside any “live” audience figure.
The Academy is also signaling more built-in accessibility and localization through features like closed captioning and multilingual audio tracks.
Why 2028 is the handoff point
ABC has been the Oscars’ modern-era home since 1976, spanning multiple changes in format and distribution while keeping the ceremony anchored in broadcast “appointment viewing.”
The reason the shift does not happen sooner is contractual: the Academy’s long-standing arrangement keeps ABC in place through 2028.
Final Thoughts: what to watch next
The Oscars on YouTube is a high-profile signal that even legacy, once-broadcast-only events are rethinking distribution when global streaming scale becomes the priority.
What comes next:
- How Oscar-night performance is defined in 2029 (live reach vs total watch time and engagement).
- How advertising is packaged for a worldwide stream.
- Whether other awards franchises pursue platform-first deals after this shift.
