Oscars Break Tradition With Historic Move to YouTube, Redefining Cinema’s Biggest Night

After more than seven decades on traditional television, the Academy Awards will stream free worldwide, ushering in a new era of global access and digital engagement

For the first time in its storied history, the Academy Awards will leave traditional broadcast television and find a new home online. Beginning with the 101st ceremony in 2029, the Oscars will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube, marking a seismic shift for one of the world’s most enduring cultural institutions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and YouTube announced a multi-year agreement on Wednesday, granting YouTube exclusive global streaming rights to the Oscars through 2033. The deal covers not only the awards ceremony itself, but also red carpet arrivals, behind-the-scenes programming, and the prestigious Governors Ball, offering viewers unprecedented access to Hollywood’s most celebrated night.

The End of a Historic Television Era

The move brings an end to the Academy’s long-standing relationship with ABC, which has broadcast the Oscars since 1976. ABC will retain the rights through the 100th Academy Awards in 2028, closing out its tenure with a milestone ceremony before the transition begins.

Even more notably, the decision marks the Oscars’ first departure from traditional television since the ceremony was first broadcast in 1953 on NBC. For more than 76 years, the awards have been a fixture of network TV, shaping generations of movie lovers and defining awards-season culture.

A Global, Digital-First Vision

Academy leaders say the partnership reflects a broader ambition to expand the Oscars’ global reach and modernize how audiences experience cinema’s biggest celebration. Streaming on YouTube will allow viewers around the world to watch live without paywalls, while features such as closed captioning and multilingual audio tracks aim to make the ceremony more inclusive and accessible than ever before.

“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 in a joint statement. “This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy.”

They added that the move will help the Academy celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers, and provide access to film history on an unprecedented global scale.

YouTube Embraces Hollywood’s Biggest Stage

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed that sentiment, calling the Oscars “one of our essential cultural institutions.”

“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,” he said.

In the United States, the ceremony will also be available to YouTube TV subscribers, ensuring a seamless transition for domestic audiences while opening the doors to millions of new viewers globally.

Looking Ahead

The announcement comes as the Academy continues to adapt to shifting viewing habits and evolving audience expectations. With Conan O’Brien set to return as host for the 2026 ceremony, the Oscars will maintain continuity in the short term while preparing for one of the most transformative changes in their history.

As Hollywood’s most prestigious night steps into the digital spotlight, the move to YouTube signals not just a change in platform, but a reimagining of how cinema is celebrated — one designed for a truly global, always-connected audience.