YouTube Secures Prestigious Four-Year Deal for Exclusive Oscars Streaming

The Academy Awards are making a definitive move into the streaming era with an exclusive partnership with YouTube spanning 2029 to 2033. This four-year agreement represents one of the most significant transformations in awards ceremony distribution, positioning the digital platform as the sole global destination for Hollywood’s most celebrated annual event.
YouTube’s comprehensive deal extends far beyond streaming the main ceremony. The platform will provide worldwide audiences with red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball access, the Governors Awards ceremony, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, student filmmaker recognitions, ongoing educational content, podcasts, and in-depth filmmaker interviews—creating an unprecedented year-round Academy presence.
The Academy’s decision reflects their commitment to serving an increasingly diverse and international membership base. With 21% of voters now located outside the United States, leadership recognizes the strategic importance of partnering with a universally accessible platform that can deliver content seamlessly across geographic boundaries without traditional broadcast constraints.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan articulated his vision for honoring the Oscars’ cultural significance while inspiring emerging generations of creative talent and film enthusiasts. The platform’s recent achievements, including record-breaking viewership shares and successful live sports broadcasting, position it as an ideal partner for hosting an event of this magnitude and prestige.
The transition timeline provides ABC with three additional broadcasts, culminating in the significant 100th anniversary ceremony in 2028, offering a respectful conclusion to the network’s fifty-year partnership. This measured approach allows adequate preparation time for the historic shift to YouTube, where billions of users will have direct access to cinema’s premier awards night.