For more than 50 years, the Oscars have aired on ABC, which has broadcast the ceremony since 1976. Under the new agreement, the awards show will be available live and free on YouTube worldwide, marking the first time the ceremony will move entirely off traditional television.
The Oscars ceremony scheduled for 15 March will still air on ABC, which confirmed it will host the next three telecasts before the YouTube deal begins.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said the partnership reflects the Academy’s global vision. “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,” they said in a joint statement, adding that the move would benefit both Academy members and the wider film community.
The decision comes as Oscars viewership has declined steadily over the years, though there was a modest increase in 2025. That rise was driven largely by younger viewers watching on mobile phones and computers, highlighting changing viewing habits.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called the Oscars “one of our essential cultural institutions” and said the partnership would “inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
The move is another sign of upheaval in Hollywood, where studios are grappling with mergers, potential sales, and deep production cuts. On the same day as the Oscars announcement, Warner Bros Discovery advised shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid involving Paramount Skydance in favour of a rival bid from Netflix—both seen as challenging options for an industry under pressure.
As audiences continue to move away from cable TV and toward streaming platforms, YouTube securing the rights to the Academy Awards signals that the future of major live events is increasingly digital.
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