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For the first time in its nearly century-old history, the Oscars will move away from traditional television and stream live, free of cost, on a digital-first platform. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has signed a multi-year agreement with YouTube that will make the video-sharing platform the exclusive global home of the Oscars from 2029, marking a major change in how the world’s most prestigious film awards are watched. The deal signals the Academy’s clear push to reach younger, global audiences as viewing habits rapidly evolve. The agreement will come into effect with the 101st Academy Awards in 2029 and will run through 2033. Until then, the Oscars will continue to air on ABC, which retains broadcast rights through 2028.

Under the new agreement, the Oscars ceremony will be streamed live and free on YouTube worldwide. This will not be limited to just the main awards night. Red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes footage and even the Governors Ball will also be available on the platform. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the event via YouTube as well as YouTube TV, while international audiences can access the stream without any subscription. Commercial breaks will continue to be part of the broadcast, ensuring the event remains advertiser-supported even on a digital platform.

Academy leadership has made it clear that accessibility and global reach were key drivers behind the decision. With audiences increasingly shifting to online platforms, the Oscars have struggled in recent years to maintain television viewership. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said the partnership would allow the organisation to reach a much wider audience, especially outside the US. They highlighted features such as closed captioning and multi-language audio tracks as important tools to make the ceremony more inclusive. The Academy believes YouTube’s scale and technology will help introduce the Oscars to new generations of film lovers while preserving the event’s legacy.

For YouTube, landing the Oscars is a landmark moment. CEO Neal Mohan described the awards as one of the world’s most important cultural institutions and said the partnership would inspire creators, filmmakers and audiences across the globe.

This deal strengthens YouTube’s growing presence in live events, positioning it alongside and in some cases ahead of - traditional broadcasters and streaming rivals when it comes to global entertainment. According to industry reports, the Academy spent much of 2025 exploring new broadcast options. Several traditional and unconventional players, including NBCUniversal and Netflix, were reportedly in discussions.

YouTube ultimately emerged as the winning bidder, with sources suggesting the platform paid a nine-figure sum for the rights, significantly higher than offers from existing broadcasters. The scale of the deal underlines how valuable the Oscars remain as a global entertainment property, even as viewing habits change.

From 2029 onwards, watching the Oscars will no longer require a TV subscription or regional broadcaster access. Anyone with an internet connection will be able to tune in live, making the ceremony more accessible than ever before.