YouTube Becomes Exclusive Home for Oscars in Multi-Year Streaming Agreement

The entertainment industry is witnessing a historic transformation as the Oscars announce an exclusive four-year partnership with YouTube covering 2029 through 2033. This landmark agreement moves Hollywood’s flagship awards ceremony from traditional broadcast television to global digital streaming, fundamentally changing how audiences worldwide will experience cinema’s most celebrated night.
YouTube’s comprehensive deal includes the main awards ceremony plus an extensive array of supplementary content. Global viewers will enjoy red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball access, the Governors Awards ceremony, nomination reveals, the nominees Luncheon, student filmmaker awards, year-round educational programming, podcasts, and in-depth filmmaker interviews.
The Academy’s leadership framed this decision as essential for serving their increasingly global membership. With international voters now comprising over 20% of the Academy, partnering with a universally accessible platform enables the organization to reach the broadest possible audience and strengthen connections within the worldwide film community.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan highlighted the platform’s commitment to maintaining the Oscars’ cultural significance while inspiring emerging filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts. The streaming giant’s recent accomplishments, including record viewership shares and successful live sports broadcasting to more than 17 million viewers, demonstrate its capability to host events of this magnitude.
Multiple major entertainment companies reportedly competed for these prestigious rights, with Netflix and NBCUniversal among the bidders. Disney’s ABC will conclude its fifty-year relationship with three final broadcasts, including the centennial ceremony in 2028, before YouTube assumes control in what industry observers consider one of entertainment’s most significant distribution evolutions.