Academy Will Stream Oscars on YouTube in 2029
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences plans to shift its annual awards ceremony to a global digital format.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Television
Live Poll
Would you prefer watching major awards shows on a streaming platform rather than traditional television?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will move the Oscars broadcast to YouTube starting in 2029. This transition will mark the 101st Academy Awards ceremony.
Why it matters
The Academy aims to broaden its reach to a larger international audience of film fans and young artists by leveraging a digital streaming platform. The move is also designed to provide the organization with greater control over viewer engagement.
The ceremony generated $150 million in revenue between 2024 and 2025. Viewership for the event has fluctuated, with 16.68 million viewers in 2022, 19.69 million in 2025, and 17.86 million in 2026.
The players
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
This is the professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures.
YouTube
This is an American online video sharing and social media platform that will serve as the primary host for the awards.
Disney
This is a diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that has broadcasted the Oscars.
The details
The upcoming digital broadcast will feature translations in 30 different languages to facilitate a wider global reach. YouTube will also host exclusive red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and various auxiliary honorary award ceremonies.
Timeline
The Oscars began airing on ABC in the U.S. in 1976.
The 2022 Oscars drew 16.68 million viewers.
The ceremony generated $150 million in revenue during 2024-2025.
The 2025 Oscars drew 19.69 million viewers.
The Oscars will transition to a YouTube broadcast in 2029.
Industry Dynamics
This transition signals a major shift in the traditional entertainment model, moving away from legacy broadcast television toward streaming-first strategies. It mirrors the broader industry trend of studios prioritizing direct global access over traditional network partnerships to combat declining viewership.
Viewers worldwide will gain access to the ceremony through a digital platform with multi-language support. This change shifts consumption from traditional television sets to internet-connected devices, potentially altering how fans globally experience the event.
The takeaway
This move highlights the increasing necessity for long-standing institutions to adopt digital-first strategies to remain relevant to younger, global demographics. Fans should prepare for a transition toward web-based viewing platforms for major cultural events in the coming years.
Further reading
Find more industry coverage in the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Live Poll
Would you prefer watching major awards shows on a streaming platform rather than traditional television?
