The prestigious Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, will undergo a significant transformation in 2029 as they migrate from traditional television broadcast on ABC to the digital platform YouTube. This groundbreaking announcement was made on December 17, 2025, by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in collaboration with YouTube. The exclusive global rights agreement between the Academy and YouTube is set to commence from the 101st Oscars in 2029 and extend through 2033, marking a new era for the iconic awards ceremony.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/oscars-youtube-121725-11e8e91f62044ec48405277060caed51.jpg)
The transition to YouTube signifies a monumental shift in how audiences worldwide will experience the Oscars, with all aspects of the event, including the red carpet, behind-the-scenes content, and the prestigious Governors Ball, becoming available for streaming on the popular video-sharing platform. This move comes as the Academy aims to reach the “largest worldwide audience possible” and expand access to its programming beyond traditional broadcast boundaries. The current domestic broadcasting partnership with ABC will continue until the 100th Oscars in 2028, symbolizing the end of an era and the dawn of a new digital age for the Oscars.
In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with YouTube, highlighting the opportunity to showcase the work of the Academy to a global audience. The collaboration aims to leverage YouTube’s expansive reach to engage viewers in innovative ways while upholding the esteemed legacy of the Oscars. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the platform’s commitment to inspiring creativity and nurturing a love for films while honouring the heritage of the Oscars.
Conan O’Brien, the renowned TV host and comedian, is set to return as the host of the 98th Academy Awards scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 15. O’Brien’s hosting duties for the ceremony for the second consecutive year promise a blend of entertainment, humour, and possibly memorable moments akin to Adrien Brody’s record-breaking acceptance speech from the previous year. With nominations for the 2026 Oscars soon to be announced, anticipation is building for another spectacular event celebrating the best of cinema.
The Oscars’ move to YouTube represents a significant milestone in the entertainment industry’s evolution towards digital platforms and online streaming. As the Academy embraces the digital future, the partnership with YouTube is poised to revolutionise how audiences engage with and experience the magic of the Oscars. This forward-looking approach not only enhances accessibility for viewers worldwide but also opens up new opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and engagement within the film community.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, the Oscars’ transition to YouTube marks a pivotal moment that underscores the industry’s adaptation to changing audience preferences and technological advancements. The synergy between the Academy and YouTube signifies a bold step towards reimagining the future of prestigious awards ceremonies in a digitally interconnected world. With this historic partnership, the Oscars are poised to embark on a new chapter that promises to captivate audiences globally and celebrate the timeless art of filmmaking in innovative ways.