YouTube has won exclusive rights to broadcast the Oscars starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was announced on Wednesday. The Google-owned platform beat out other contenders, including Oscars longtime ABC, ending the network’s streak of hosting the awards since 1961 (with the exception of one short period in the early 1970s).
YouTube’s first broadcast will be the 101st Oscars in 2029, and its deal runs through 2033. ABC will continue to broadcast the ceremony through 2028.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The news, which marks a landmark change for one of the televised events, underscores YouTube’s growing dominance in the television space and a major shift as the stream receives more live events. The ceremony will be available live and free to more than 2 billion viewers worldwide on YouTube, as well as YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. The move comes as Oscar ratings have steadily declined from a peak of 55 million viewers in 1998 to closer to 20 million in recent years, prompting the Academy to explore new ways to reach audiences.
“We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” Academy CEO Bill Cramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the Academy’s work to the largest possible audience worldwide — which will benefit our Academy members and the film community.”
As part of the deal, YouTube will not only broadcast the ceremony, but also red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Oscar nominations announcements, Academy members and director interviews, access to the Governors Ball, film education programs, podcasts and more.
“The Oscars are one of our core cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said in a statement. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to audiences around the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and movie lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
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While this isn’t the first time a streamer has acquired the rights to an awards show — Netflix has secured the rights to the SAG Awards — it’s the first time one of the big four awards shows (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys) will ditch television entirely in favor of streaming.
