After nearly 40 years of airing on ABC, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have found a new home for the Oscars beginning in just a couple of years.
The Academy Awards are leaving ABC behind following the broadcast of its 2028 presentation (which will honor the best films of 2027). As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, starting with its 101st year, the Oscars will instead be streamed for free on YouTube globally, with the deal extending through 2033. Outside the US, you’ll need to be a YouTube TV subscriber to watch — and no, it’s not immediately clear yet just how that will work. YouTube is also getting access to red carpet coverage, the Governors Ball, and other behind-the-scenes content.
Although its viewership has fallen as streaming has overtaken traditional TV, the Oscars continue to chart as one of the most-watched broadcasts of the year, and certainly the most-watched awards show. Moving the show to YouTube makes plenty of sense as AMPAS works to expand its viewership. For comparison, this year’s ceremony was the first to be officially streamed online through a non-cable service. Now, come 2029, anyone with an internet connection will be able to watch the official livestream, alongside closed captioning and multi-language audio tracks.
Still, the YouTube TV of it all makes this a little more confusing for viewers in the US. The term “subscribers” is specifically used, which seems to indicate you’ll need to sign up for YouTube TV — or use a free trial, assuming the company continues to offer those at the time — to actually watch the event. Considering it’s also not being broadcast on a specific channel, YouTube will presumably need to create a unique timed channel for the Oscars, similar to its own “Moment of Zen” space.
The Academy has also confirmed that Google Arts & Culture will work to digitize aspects of the Academy Museum and its various collections, making it “accessible from around the world.” While I’m sure other changes are on the horizon, the actual ceremony appears too far out for producers and other creatives to lock those efforts in place. While I’m sure a world exists where Mr. Beast hosts the 101st Academy Awards in 2029, I’m certainly hoping the entire presentation looks a little more like the modern show. In the meantime, Conan O’Brien returns to host the 98th Oscars in March on ABC.
More on YouTube:
- YouTube’s redesigned video player for TVs is rolling out now
- Nvidia Shield TV owners suddenly cannot use YouTube, YouTube TV apps
- YouTube ‘Recap’ is here; how to find it
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