In a development that reshapes entertainment broadcasting landscape, YouTube has secured exclusive global rights to the Academy Awards through a comprehensive four-year partnership commencing in 2029. This landmark agreement signals the definitive transition from traditional network television to digital streaming for Hollywood’s most prestigious ceremony, promising unprecedented worldwide accessibility and enhanced content delivery throughout the entire awards season.
The extensive partnership provides comprehensive programming beyond the main ceremony. YouTube gains exclusive rights to red carpet arrivals, behind-the-scenes exclusive footage, Governors Ball access, the Governors Awards, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards, in-depth Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film education programs, podcasts, and supplementary content designed to maintain continuous audience engagement with cinematic excellence and Academy initiatives throughout the calendar year.
Academy leadership characterized this decision as strategically crucial for serving their increasingly international organization. CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized that with voting membership now including 21% participants from outside the United States, global digital distribution better serves their diverse constituency. This strategic thinking recognizes that organizational evolution requires distribution methods aligned with membership demographics, technological capabilities, and contemporary media consumption patterns.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan positioned the partnership as cultural stewardship meeting digital innovation. He committed to preserving the Oscars’ distinguished legacy while leveraging technological capabilities to inspire future creative generations and cultivate new film enthusiasts worldwide. This balanced approach recognizes that enduring cultural institutions must adapt distribution methods to maintain relevance while respecting established traditions that have made the Oscars integral to global entertainment culture.
The announcement reflects entertainment industry’s ongoing transformation toward streaming dominance. YouTube achieved record viewership shares in America throughout the current year, consistently outperforming traditional television networks. The platform’s successful September live NFL broadcast attracted over 17 million viewers, validating sophisticated production capabilities for major live events. Multiple media giants including Netflix, NBCUniversal, and Disney competed for these rights, with Disney previously paying approximately $100 million annually. Disney’s ABC network will broadcast three final Oscar ceremonies through 2028, including the centennial celebration, before this historic transition to digital platforms.