YouTube to Exclusively Stream Oscars Starting 2029

In a major shift for Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday that the Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029. The multi-year deal grants YouTube global rights to the Academy Awards through 2033.

Traditionally broadcast on ABC for over 50 years, the Oscars—scheduled for March 15—will now be available live and for free on YouTube. The move reflects ongoing changes in Hollywood, including studio mergers, production cuts, and the growing dominance of streaming platforms.

“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—benefiting our members and the global film community,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan described the Oscars as “one of our essential cultural institutions,” noting that the partnership would “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”

ABC, which has aired the Oscars since 1976, said it looks forward to hosting the next three telecasts before the transition.

The move comes amid broader industry changes, including Warner Bros. Discovery rejecting a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance and increasing reliance on streaming platforms, signaling that digital distribution will play an ever-larger role in Hollywood’s future.