Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony is entering a new era with an exclusive partnership with YouTube spanning 2029 to 2033. This landmark four-year agreement marks the Oscars’ transition from traditional broadcast television to global digital streaming, fundamentally changing how billions of viewers worldwide will experience cinema’s premier event.
The partnership encompasses far more than the main ceremony broadcast. YouTube will provide comprehensive coverage including red carpet arrivals, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, Governors Ball access, the Governors Awards, nomination reveals, the nominees Luncheon, student Academy awards, continuous educational programming, podcasts, and extensive filmmaker interviews throughout the year.
Academy executives emphasized that this partnership serves their organization’s increasingly international character. With over 20% of voting members now based outside America, the decision to work with a universally accessible streaming platform ensures all members and global film communities receive equitable access to Academy programming and celebrations.
YouTube’s market leadership and technical capabilities make it an ideal partner for this transition. The platform dominates streaming viewership in America and recently proved its live event infrastructure by broadcasting an NFL game to more than 17 million viewers, demonstrating readiness to support the Oscars’ global audience and production demands.
Multiple major entertainment companies reportedly competed for these coveted rights, with Netflix and NBCUniversal among the bidders. Disney’s ABC, which paid approximately $100 million annually for broadcast rights, will host three final ceremonies including the significant centennial celebration in 2028 before YouTube takes control in what represents entertainment’s most dramatic distribution transformation.
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