Oscars to Move Away from Disney/ABC in 2029 – Find Out Where They’re Headed

The Oscars are leaving ABC and heading to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday. ABC will continue to broadcast the ceremony through 2028, which will also be the 100th Oscars.

Starting in 2029, YouTube will have the global streaming rights to the Oscars through 2033. The platform will host not only the main awards show but also red-carpet coverage, the Governors Awards, and the Oscar nominations announcements.

“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 chief executive Bill Kramer and academy president Lynette Howell Taylor.

“The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community.”

This move makes the Oscars the first of the major U.S. award shows, including the Grammys, Emmys, and Tonys, to completely leave broadcast TV in favor of streaming. YouTube, owned by Google, has around 2 billion viewers and will offer the Oscars free to all users, along with availability for YouTube TV subscribers. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. “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.”

The shift to YouTube reflects how major events are adapting to digital streaming and reaching global audiences, moving away from traditional network television.

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