The Academy Awards will leave traditional television and move to streaming from 2029, marking a historic turning point for the entertainment industry. The world’s most prestigious film ceremony will shift from ABC to YouTube under a multi-year agreement granting the platform exclusive global broadcast rights.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday that it has signed a deal with YouTube running through 2033. ABC, owned by Disney and the long-time home of the Oscars, will continue to air the ceremony through 2028.

The agreement underscores a dramatic shift in media power, as YouTube and streaming platforms such as Netflix continue to reshape the landscape. In recent weeks, the Academy had put future broadcast rights up for bid, fueling speculation that a Big Tech player would step in—a scenario confirmed when YouTube outbid ABC and other contenders. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In a statement, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called the Oscars “one of the world’s foundational cultural institutions,” saying the partnership would bring the celebration of art and entertainment to global audiences while inspiring a new generation of creators and film lovers, “remaining true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”

Hollywood Divided
That reference to “legacy” resonates in Hollywood, where creators remain split between preserving traditional storytelling models and embracing audience-centric platforms like YouTube and Netflix. “Having YouTube broadcast the Oscars is like shaking hands with the person trying to kill you,” screenwriter Daniel Kunka quipped on X.

YouTube, however, rejects that view. The platform has encouraged filmmakers to experiment with new technologies and distribution models and has previously explored funding original films.