The Oscars Are Moving to YouTube in 2029

Starting in 2029, the Oscars will no longer air on ABC. Instead, the awards ceremony will be on YouTube.

In a press release from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it was announced today that the Academy and YouTube have signed a multi-year deal for the exclusive global rights to air the Oscars, beginning in 2029 through 2033. ABC will continue to air the awards in 2026 through 2028 as before, concluding with the 100th Oscars.

This will make the Oscars viewable for free, live on YouTube starting in 2029, including all official related Oscars content and associated events, such as the red carpet pre-show, Governors Awards, Oscars nominations announcement, Student Academy Awards, and more. Select Academy Museum exhibitions will also be made viewable on YouTube.

“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," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. "This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement 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.”

The Oscars were originally broadcast starting in 1953 by NBC, with ABC taking over in 1966 for five years, NBC regaining the rights for another five years, and then ABC taking back over in 1976 and retaining rights ever since.