It’s official. The Academy Awards will stream exclusively on YouTube, ending a nearly five-decade run on ABC.
The deal begins with the 101st Academy Awards and runs for five years. ABC will still broadcast the ceremony through 2028, including the show’s centennial celebration.
It’s a big pivot for one of Hollywood’s most tradition-heavy institutions, and it reflects how much the audience has changed.
From network TV to our smart TV
The Academy’s decision is rooted in one simple truth. People do not watch live television the way they used to, especially younger viewers. Streaming has become the default and not the alternative anymore.
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YouTube is now the most-watched streaming platform on US television screens, accounting for about 13.4 percent of total TV viewing, according to Nielsen’s gauge report last July. Netflix follows behind at around 8.8 percent. What was once seen mainly as a mobile app or creator platform now dominates living rooms.
For the Academy, YouTube offers global scale across phones, laptops, and smart TVs in a way traditional broadcasters cannot.
This deal is not limited to Oscar night.
The Academy plans to expand its year-round presence on YouTube with red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes features, and programming tied to events like the Governors Awards. Google, YouTube’s parent company, will also help digitize the Academy’s vast archive of more than 52 million film-related items, opening up decades of cinema history to a wider audience.
The agreement also gives the Academy more control over sponsorships, a key source of revenue that was more restricted under network television.
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Oscar ratings have been declining for years
When ABC renewed its contract with the Academy in 2016, the ceremony drew more than 34 million viewers. This year’s show reached around 19.7 million, slightly up from last year but still far from its peak. The lowest point came in 2021, during the pandemic, when viewership dropped to 10.4 million. The record high remains 57 million viewers in 1998, driven largely by the popularity of Titanic.
Even so, the Oscars remain the most expensive entertainment event for advertisers, consistently outperforming the Grammys and the Emmys.
Why ABC stepped back
ABC has been paying roughly $100 million a year for the Oscars. As ratings declined, the network pushed back on paying more, arguing that the show needed a lower price tag.
The Academy, however, depends on the Oscars for about 60 percent of its annual revenue. A smaller deal would have affected its year-round programs, including film preservation and education efforts.
According to reports, YouTube offered a lower rights fee than ABC. What tipped the scale was reach, long-term value, and support beyond the broadcast itself.
To be honest, the Oscars were late to the streaming game
This year’s ceremony had a simulcast on Hulu, though there were reported technical issues. Meanwhile, other major shows have moved faster. The Screen Actors Guild Awards have streamed on Netflix since 2024. YouTube, while not known for scripted TV or films, has quietly built credibility in live broadcasting. It holds the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket and has successfully streamed major sports events to massive audiences.
What the Oscars could look like in 2029
The final three Oscar ceremonies on ABC will air through 2028. What happens after that is still open.
Streaming removes strict time limits, which could change how awards are presented and how long the show runs. It also raises questions about how success will be measured without traditional TV ratings.
What’s seemed to be clear so far is that The Oscars are following the audience and by 2029, watching Hollywood’s biggest night on YouTube may feel less shocking and more inevitable.
After all, that’s already where everyone is watching.
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