On December 17, 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences dropped a bombshell that reverberated through Hollywood and the media industry: the Oscars are leaving broadcast television. After nearly 50 years as a staple on ABC, the world’s most prestigious film awards will move exclusively to YouTube starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029, under a multi-year deal running through at least 2033. ABC will host the final three broadcasts, culminating in the landmark 100th Oscars in 2028.
This shift marks the end of an era for linear TV and the beginning of a digital-first future for one of entertainment’s biggest nights. The ceremony, red carpet coverage, and ancillary events will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube, with U.S. viewers also accessing it via YouTube TV.
A Longstanding Partnership Comes to an End
The Oscars’ relationship with ABC dates back to 1976, following stints on NBC (1953–1960 and 1971–1975) and earlier ABC runs (1961–1970). The current deal, extended in 2016, locked in broadcasts through 2028 and was valued at around $100 million annually in rights fees to the Academy.
ABC expressed graciousness in its farewell: “ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century. We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy continued success.”
Yet negotiations for renewal stalled. The Academy sought higher fees, while ABC, citing plummeting ratings, resisted increases—and even pushed for reductions. With the Oscars accounting for about 60% of the Academy’s annual revenue (funding preservation, education, and the Academy Museum), a suboptimal deal risked jeopardizing these programs.
The Culprit: Decades of Declining Viewership
The core issue? Traditional TV audiences have eroded dramatically.
- Peak: 1998 (Titanic year) – over 55 million viewers.
- Pre-pandemic highs: Often 30–40 million.
- Recent lows: 10.4 million in 2021 (pandemic-impacted).
- 2025: Approximately 19.7 million – a slight uptick but still far below historical norms.
This mirrors broader trends: cord-cutting, fragmented viewing, and competition from streaming. ABC generated ~$140 million in ads recently but shared revenue while facing shrinking profitability.
YouTube Emerges Victorious
YouTube (owned by Google) outbid competitors—including ABC, NBCUniversal, and reportedly others like Netflix—with a lucrative offer, likely exceeding $100 million per year. The platform’s CEO, Neal Mohan, called the Oscars “one of our essential cultural institutions,” pledging to “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers.”
Key advantages:
- Global reach: Free livestream to billions, with multi-language audio, closed captioning, and accessibility features.
- Expanded content: Exclusive home for Governors Awards, nominations announcements, Nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards, Scientific and Technical Awards, interviews, podcasts, and more.
- Innovation: Potential for interactive elements, behind-the-scenes, and engagement tools tailored to younger, international audiences.
- Digitization partnership: Google Arts & Culture will help preserve and share Academy collections online.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized: “This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach… while honoring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”
Broader Implications for Hollywood and Media
This move accelerates the migration of live events to streaming:
- SAG Awards (now “The Actors Awards”) on Netflix since 2024.
- Other shows experimenting with hybrid models.
The Oscars become the first of the “Big Four” (Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Tonys) to fully abandon broadcast TV. It underscores streaming’s dominance—YouTube is Nielsen’s top U.S. streaming service—and signals challenges for linear networks.
Potential upsides for the Oscars:
- No runtime limits (addressing complaints of bloat).
- Fresher formats, unfiltered hosts, and youth-oriented features.
- Revitalized relevance amid criticisms of irrelevance.
Questions linger: Production control? International deals? Ad models? But the Academy bets on digital to secure finances and expand audiences.
As Hollywood adapts to streaming’s rise, the Oscars’ YouTube era promises to redefine “Hollywood’s Biggest Night”—making it truly global, accessible, and future-proof. The golden statuette endures; its delivery just got a digital upgrade.