YouTube Lands Exclusive Rights: Oscars to Stream Globally from 2029

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finalized a transformative agreement with YouTube for exclusive worldwide streaming of the Oscars from 2029 through 2033. This four-year partnership represents a defining moment in awards ceremony distribution, moving cinema’s premier event from traditional television to a digital platform with global reach.
YouTube’s comprehensive package includes the main ceremony alongside extensive supplementary content. Global audiences will access red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball footage, the Governors Awards ceremony, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, student filmmaker awards, year-round educational initiatives, podcasts, and in-depth filmmaker interviews—creating complete Academy ecosystem accessibility.
The Academy’s leadership characterized this partnership as essential for serving their increasingly diverse membership. With 21% of voters now based outside the United States, the organization views collaboration with a universally accessible platform as crucial for democratizing access to Academy programming and strengthening global film community relationships.
YouTube’s market dominance and technical prowess position it as an ideal partner for this transition. The platform consistently ranks as America’s most-watched streaming service and recently demonstrated its live event capabilities by broadcasting an NFL game to more than 17 million viewers, proving its infrastructure can support globally significant broadcasts.
The announcement arrives as traditional television faces continued challenges, with streaming platforms increasingly capturing audience attention. ABC will host three final ceremonies, including the prestigious centennial celebration in 2028, before YouTube assumes control, marking the conclusion of the network’s historic five-decade association with the Oscars.