The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has entered into a multi-year agreement that provides YouTube with exclusive global streaming rights for the Oscars starting in 2029. The arrangement will commence with the 101st Academy Awards and continue until 2033. ABC, which has been the ceremony’s broadcaster for many years, will still air the Oscars through 2028.
With this agreement in place, the Oscars will be available live and for free on YouTube globally. This coverage will encompass the red carpet, behind-the-scenes features, and the Governors Ball. Additionally, the ceremony will be available for streaming on YouTube TV for U.S. subscribers. According to sources knowledgeable about the deal, commercials will still be included in the broadcast on YouTube.
Those involved in the agreement state that the initiative aims to improve global access with features such as closed captioning and multiple audio language options.
“We are excited to embark on a dynamic global partnership with YouTube, which will become 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. “As an international organization, the Academy seeks to broaden access to our work to reach the largest worldwide audience possible a benefit for our members and the film community.”
They continued, “This partnership will leverage YouTube’s extensive reach and enhance the Oscars and other Academy programming with opportunities for audience engagement while preserving our history. We will celebrate cinema, inspire upcoming generations of filmmakers, and provide global access to our film heritage.”
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan commented that the partnership with the Academy fits well with the platform’s global audience. “The Oscars are one of our key cultural institutions,” he noted. “Collaborating with the Academy to present this artistic and entertainment celebration to viewers worldwide will motivate a new generation of creativity and film enthusiasts while honoring the legacy of the Oscars.”
The Academy had been seeking a new broadcast licensing deal throughout much of 2025. Among the potential bidders were NBCUniversal and Netflix. Sources revealed that YouTube outbid its competitors with an offer exceeding nine figures, surpassing high eight-figure bids from Disney/ABC.
Under the previous agreement, Disney reportedly paid around $100 million each year for the rights to broadcast the Oscars. However, sources indicate that Disney and ABC had been trying to lower license fees due to a decrease in viewership for the ceremony.
Executives at Disney were said to be surprised by YouTube winning the bid, considering that it functions as a standalone streaming platform rather than a combined linear and streaming broadcaster.
Concerns have also been raised regarding YouTube’s absence of a traditional live event production infrastructure. While YouTube has three years to develop a production operation, insiders mentioned that the Academy may maintain full control over the telecast’s production.
The Academy and Disney had previously disagreed on various aspects of the show, such as its duration, award categories, and hosting choices. On YouTube, there are no imposed time constraints for the broadcast.
Several issues remain to be addressed, including how the Academy’s existing international distribution agreements will be impacted and whether the YouTube license fee will substitute for revenue generated from global broadcast deals. It is also uncertain how viewership will be measured, as YouTube does not adhere to the same reporting standards as traditional television.