The Oscars will be streamed exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday that, starting in 2029, the Oscars will be streamed exclusively on YouTube, in a multiyear deal that ends the longstanding relationship with ABC and seeks to expand the event's global reach.

In 2028, the 100th anniversary of the Oscars will be celebrated and ABC will continue to broadcast the annual ceremony until that date.

The agreement signed with YouTube gives it exclusive global streaming rights to the ceremony through 2033, including worldwide access for movie fans to other Academy events and programs exclusively on the Oscars YouTube channel. These include the Governors Awards, the announcement of the Oscars nominations, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, film education programs, podcasts and more.

In addition, it has been confirmed that through this partnership, the Google Arts & Culture initiative will help provide digital access to selected exhibits and programs from the Academy Museum and will help digitize components of the Academy Collection, the world's largest film-related collection, with more than 52 million objects.

Leveraging YouTube's broad reach

The Academy Awards will be streamed for free worldwide on YouTube, as well as for YouTube TV subscribers.

The streaming giant claims to be able to deliver the ceremony to more than 2 billion potential users, with accessibility and localization tools that facilitate international reception.

“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,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community."

“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO, YouTube. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”