ABC Loses The Oscars As YouTube Is Set To Take Over
After nearly five decades on broadcast television, one of Hollywood’s most enduring institutions is preparing for a historic shift.
The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are leaving their longtime home on ABC and heading fully into the streaming era.
The move signals not just a change in platform, but a broader transformation in how the film industry reaches global audiences.
The Oscars Prepare To Leave ABC After Nearly 50 Years
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed that the Oscars, which have aired on ABC since 1976, will move to YouTube beginning in 2029.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal runs through at least 2033 and represents one of the most dramatic broadcast shifts in entertainment history.
ABC, owned by Disney, will continue airing the ceremony through the 100th Academy Awards in 2028, marking the end of an era defined by linear television dominance.
Once the transition is complete, the ceremony will stream live and free on YouTube for more than two billion global users, while also remaining available to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.
The scale alone reshapes how the awards can be consumed, removing traditional paywalls and time-zone barriers that have long limited viewership.
What The YouTube Deal Means For The Oscars Brand
The agreement goes far beyond the ceremony itself.
YouTube will also become the home for a sweeping slate of Oscar-related programming, including red carpet pre-shows, behind-the-scenes content, the Oscar nominations announcement, the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards.
Interviews, podcasts, and film education programming are also part of the package.
This expanded presence builds on the Oscars’ $150 million in annual revenue generated during the most recent fiscal year, much of it tied to the Disney television deal.
With YouTube’s infrastructure, the Academy is positioning itself for a future less dependent on a single night of broadcast ratings and more focused on year-round engagement.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will also benefit, supported by Google Arts & Culture, which will help digitize parts of the Academy Collection and provide wider access to exhibitions and programs tied to the history of cinema.
YouTube’s Vision For The Oscars And Global Culture
Starting in 2029, the Oscars® will stream exclusively on YouTube for free globally and on @YouTubeTV in the U.S.
Experience red carpet coverage, BTS content & Governors Ball access. Plus, @googlearts will digitize @TheAcademy's collection.
Learn more →… https://t.co/Pui793C1jW
— Updates From YouTube (@UpdatesFromYT) December 17, 2025
For YouTube, landing the world’s most recognizable awards show is a significant victory.
Neal Mohan, the platform’s CEO, framed the deal as a cultural milestone, saying, “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry. 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.”
Mohan has previously described YouTube as a cultural engine, telling THR, “YouTube is the epicenter of culture. And what I mean by that is it is where culture is set, it creates these moments. But the amazing thing about that culture setting is that it’s participatory, it’s like a fandom.”
He added that creator-driven engagement can amplify major live events, noting, “There is all the fandom that happens around it, and many times that fandom can be not just augmenting the main event, but in many ways, sort of amplifying it. And that’s what you see with creators.”
By 2029, YouTube TV is expected to be among the most extensive pay-TV services in the United States, further blurring the line between traditional television and streaming platforms.
Why ABC And Disney Stepped Away From the Oscars
ABC issued a measured farewell, stating, “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 of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success.”
Behind the scenes, the decision reflects broader industry pressures.
Oscar ratings have declined sharply over the past decade, turning the once-dominant broadcast event into a costly and less reliable asset.
Disney’s exclusive negotiating window lapsed earlier this year, with sources indicating the company was unwilling to overpay for a property whose financial returns no longer matched its historic prestige.
There has also been longstanding friction over creative control, including disagreements about the number of categories aired live and the overall length of the show.
Whether YouTube will succeed where ABC struggled, particularly in modernizing the ceremony’s format, remains an open question.
A New Advertising And Sponsorship Future For The Oscars
Presenting the 98th #Oscars shortlists in 12 award categories: https://t.co/Bncw3mIvEw
Oscars nominations will be announced January 22, 2026. pic.twitter.com/1cGsKnAfVr
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) December 16, 2025
Streaming was a top priority for the Academy as linear television continues its decline.
The Oscars streamed online for the first time only recently, via Hulu, underscoring how late the organization was to fully embrace digital distribution.
YouTube’s global reach now opens the door to more ambitious international sponsorship models similar to those used by organizations like the International Olympic Committee.
Sean Downey, who oversees Google’s advertising business, explained the shift in how brands view creators, saying, “[Advertisers] understand that creators are the new storytellers. Creators have leaned-in communities and audiences, and when you tell authentic stories to them, it resonates in action and brand outcomes.”
He added, “I think they see that, and they understand that YouTube is a really important player in that, and they also differentiate between a creator and an influencer. I think that is really important. You have to know what an influencer is, you have to know what a creator is, and you need to know when to use them.”
With YouTube expected to give creators access to red carpet coverage and potentially even the Dolby Theatre, the Oscars are poised to become not just a broadcast event, but a participatory global media experience.
As Hollywood watches this transition unfold, it is clear that the future of the Oscars will look very different from its past.
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