The Oscars ceremonies will fully transition to YouTube starting in 2029, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing a statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This decision will remain in effect at least until 2033.
Following the celebration of its 100th edition in 2028, the live broadcast will be available for over 2 billion YouTube users worldwide, as well as for YouTube TV subscribers in the U.S.
The new agreement will see YouTube stream not just the ceremony itself, but also a substantial amount of additional content, including the red carpet, behind-the-scenes footage, nominee announcements, honorary Oscars presented at the Governors Awards, nominee banquets, student award presentations, and technical achievement Oscars, interviews with Academy members and directors, podcasts, and more.
Support for the Academy Museum will also be provided through the Google Arts & Culture initiative, which will facilitate electronic access to specific exhibitions and programs of the Museum, as well as digitizing over 52 million items from the Academy's collection.
As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, the popularity of the ceremony on ABC has significantly declined over the past 15 years. Sources claim that Disney, the channel's owner, does not want to invest heavily in a program that no longer generates significant profit. The channel's team has also expressed frustration over the Academy's unwillingness to compromise on issues like the number of nominations and the overall length of the broadcast.
YouTube is expected to provide access to the ceremony (including the red carpet and the event itself at the Dolby Theatre) for many content creators. YouTube's CEO, Neil Mohan, called the platform the “epicenter of culture” and emphasized the importance of fan engagement in exclusive events.
It is also noted that YouTube's global reach will allow the Academy to strike “more aggressive” deals with sponsors, such as partnerships with commercial companies and organizations like the International Olympic Committee. Notable sponsors have long included global brands like Rolex and Visa.
“The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will help us expand access to the Academy's activities to as many viewers as possible around the world, benefiting both Academy members and the film community. This collaboration will allow us to leverage YouTube's wide reach to enrich the Oscars and other Academy programs with innovative audience engagement opportunities while honoring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers, and share access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor.
