The Oscar Academy Awards telecast will leave ABC and move to YouTube starting in 2029, with the show set to stream live worldwide for free, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and YouTube announced on Wednesday.
Walt Disney-owned ABC has broadcast the Oscars, Hollywood’s most prestigious film awards, for decades. However, ratings for the ceremony, along with other major awards shows, have declined as audiences increasingly shift to streaming platforms. The 2025 Oscars attracted 19.7 million U.S. viewers, marking a five-year high but still far below the show’s peak audience of 57 million in 1998.
Under the new agreement, YouTube will provide closed captioning and multiple language audio tracks, making the ceremony accessible to a global audience. The deal will cover the Oscars ceremonies from 2029 through 2033, marking a major shift in how the annual event reaches viewers worldwide.
Also Read: 98th Oscars: Nigeria Opens Submissions for International Feature Entry
The move to YouTube reflects broader trends in media consumption, as streaming platforms increasingly become the preferred method for audiences to access live events and entertainment content.
