The Academy Awards have selected YouTube as their exclusive global streaming partner for a four-year period beginning in 2029, concluding what industry insiders describe as an intense bidding process. This landmark agreement through 2033 marks a pivotal moment in entertainment distribution, transitioning Hollywood’s flagship ceremony from traditional television to digital streaming.
YouTube’s comprehensive package encompasses the main awards ceremony plus extensive additional content. Global viewers will enjoy red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball access, the Governors Awards ceremony, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, student filmmaker recognitions, continuous educational content, podcasts, and in-depth filmmaker interviews throughout the year.
The Academy’s decision reflects strategic recognition of their organization’s increasingly international composition. With 21% of voting members now based outside the United States, leadership views this partnership with a globally accessible platform as essential for ensuring equitable access to Academy programming and fostering stronger worldwide film community connections.
YouTube’s qualifications include its dominant position in streaming viewership and demonstrated capability for major live events. The platform recently broadcast an NFL game to over 17 million viewers, showcasing technical infrastructure and audience reach necessary to support the production complexity and global significance of the Oscars.
Several major entertainment companies reportedly pursued these rights, including Netflix, which acquired the Screen Actors Guild awards in 2023, and NBCUniversal. Disney’s ABC will broadcast three final ceremonies, including the centennial celebration in 2028, before YouTube takes over, concluding the network’s fifty-year relationship with cinema’s most prestigious annual event.