Here’s Who Might Stream the Oscars Next Year

With Oscar nominations just weeks away, the race for broadcast and streaming rights to the Academy Awards is heating up.

Sources speaking to Variety say the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been negotiating a new licensing deal throughout 2025, aiming for a contract lasting 5 to 10 years. The partnership is a major revenue source for AMPAS and ensures the Oscars remain a centerpiece for Hollywood’s theatrical films.

ABC has long been the home of the Oscars and currently holds the rights through the 100th ceremony in 2028. The network has aired most telecasts since 1976 and maintains deep ties with the Academy.

However, insiders suggest ABC may not be the frontrunner this time. The network recently secured a decade-long deal for the Grammys across linear TV, Hulu, and Disney+, prompting speculation about how aggressive ABC will be in renewing its Oscar deal. Despite that, some sources emphasize ABC’s ongoing commitment, noting the network promotes the Oscars across its platforms, theme parks, and cruises.

Meanwhile, YouTube remains an active contender for the Oscars’ streaming rights. The platform has grown into a major force in digital viewership, with past Oscar clips often drawing more eyes than the live broadcast.

However, insiders warn that moving the ceremony to a fully digital platform could be controversial among filmmakers and talent, who may balk at celebrating cinema primarily on a tech giant’s service.

Netflix, initially interested, has reportedly stepped away from the bidding, and CBS, now connected to David Ellison’s Paramount, never became a serious contender. The Academy will likely weigh not just financial offers but also the platform’s ability to uphold the Oscars’ prestige.

Financially, the Oscars are a big investment. Sources say ABC spends roughly $120 million per year covering broadcast rights, production costs, and other support.

Ratings for awards shows have declined over the years, but this year’s Conan O’Brien-hosted event reached a five-year high with nearly 20 million viewers across ABC and Hulu. Still, that number is far below the nearly 40 million who watched a decade ago.

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