YouTube has bought the Oscars ceremony and will air it for free.

The premier US film award ceremony radically changes its broadcast format and moves away from traditional television.

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made one of the most radical decisions in its history: starting in 2029, the Oscars ceremony will be broadcast exclusively on the YouTube video platform. This new agreement marks a definitive break from classical television broadcasting and reflects the Academy's drive to adapt to the evolving habits of the global audience.

The shift to a digital platform affects not only the viewing method but also the very philosophy of the ceremony, which for decades has been one of the major events in American television.

Exclusive Agreement with YouTube

The Academy has signed a multi-year contract granting YouTube exclusive global broadcast rights for the Oscars ceremony. The agreement will take effect with the 101st ceremony in 2029 and will last until 2033, inclusive.

Thus, the rights of the ABC television network, which has aired the Oscars for many years, will expire in 2028 and will not be renewed. This will mark the first time in decades that the ceremony completely departs from traditional television broadcasting.

Free Access for Viewers Worldwide

Starting in 2029, the Oscars ceremony—including the live broadcast, red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and the traditional Governors Ball—will be available free of charge via live stream on YouTube for viewers worldwide.

In the United States, the broadcast will also be available to subscribers of the YouTube TV service. Academy representatives emphasize that the key goal of the deal is to expand reach and attract a new international audience. This is expected to be facilitated by subtitles and additional audio tracks in various languages, which were previously limited by the capabilities of traditional television broadcasting.

Battle for Rights and Rejection of Competitors

According to industry sources, the Academy actively sought a new broadcast partner for most of 2025. Among the potential contenders for the rights were major media companies, including NBCUniversal and Netflix.

Ultimately, the choice fell in favor of YouTube, which offered not only extensive global reach but also more flexible terms regarding control over the show's format and production.

Format Freedom and New Opportunities

The move to a platform without the rigid time constraints of a broadcast schedule opens fundamentally new opportunities for the Academy. Organizers will now be able to independently determine the ceremony's duration, award structure, number of categories, and performance formats, without having to conform to broadcasting limitations.

Sources note that complete control over production may have been the decisive argument in favor of the deal with YouTube, putting an end to years of disputes with Disney and ABC regarding the show's length, award composition, and host selection.

Production Challenges for YouTube

At the same time, YouTube faces a significant challenge: within three years, the platform must build a full-fledged production infrastructure for broadcasting a large-scale, world-class live event. This involves not only the technical aspects of the live stream but also coordinating the red carpet, backstage areas, and post-ceremony events.

Nevertheless, both parties express confidence that the platform's accumulated experience in hosting global broadcasts will enable it to meet these challenges.

Upcoming Ceremonies Will Follow the Old Rules

However, the transition to the new broadcasting model will not happen immediately. Recall that the Oscars 2026 ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, and, like subsequent ceremonies until 2028, will be aired in the traditional television format.

The full transition of the Oscars into the digital era is planned only for the end of this decade, making this decision one of the most symbolic moves in the award's history.