The Oscars Are Going Digital: Academy Awards to Stream Live on YouTube From 2029

The prestigious Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are set for a dramatic evolution in how audiences around the world watch the ceremony. In a landmark decision announced in December 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed that the Oscars will be streamed exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029. This move marks a major departure from decades of broadcast television tradition and signals a new era for the Academy Awards’ global reach.

For more than half a century, the Oscars have aired on ABC, with the network first securing broadcast rights in the 1970s. ABC has served as the ceremony’s primary U.S. broadcaster since 1976, and its historic coverage has brought the Academy Awards into millions of American homes. However, changing audience habits and the rapid rise of digital platforms have transformed how viewers consume live events, prompting the Academy to explore new distribution models for the Oscars live stream.

Under the multi-year agreement, YouTube, owned by Google, will hold exclusive global streaming rights to the Academy Awards from 2029 through 2033. Leveraging YouTube’s massive international reach and robust digital infrastructure, the Oscars will be available to watch online for free worldwide. The deal also includes red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes access, and events such as the Governors Ball, alongside features like multilingual audio tracks and closed captioning to enhance accessibility and global engagement.

Academy leadership described the shift as a strategic evolution rather than a departure from tradition. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor stated that the partnership with YouTube offers an opportunity to “expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible,” benefiting both the global film community and movie fans. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed this vision, noting that the platform aims to “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while honoring the Oscars’ legacy.”

The move to stream the Oscars on YouTube aligns with broader trends in media consumption, particularly among younger audiences who increasingly prefer digital, on-demand viewing over traditional broadcast television. In recent years, the Academy Awards have already experimented with streaming options, with ceremonies being simulcast on platforms such as Hulu. However, the new agreement marks the first time the Oscars will not air on network television, underscoring a historic pivot for one of Hollywood’s most iconic annual events.

Industry analysts view the decision as both a response to declining television ratings and a forward-looking adaptation to the global streaming era. While ABC will continue to broadcast the Oscars through the 100th Academy Awards ceremony in 2028, the transition to YouTube in 2029 reflects a strategic effort to reach a broader international audience without the geographic limitations of traditional broadcasting.

Beyond hosting the main awards ceremony, YouTube will also feature year-round Academy content, potentially including nominee announcements, educational programming, film history initiatives and interactive community engagement efforts. This expanded digital presence could transform the Oscars into a more immersive and continuous experience for viewers worldwide.

As the Academy prepares for its 101st ceremony in 2029, the shift to YouTube promises to redefine how audiences watch the Oscars online. By embracing digital accessibility, innovation and global participation, the Academy Awards are positioning themselves for a new chapter in the streaming age.