Netflix Out of Oscars Broadcasting Race Amid Warner Bros. Acquisition

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With just eight weeks left until the Oscar nominations are revealed, the Academy is searching for a new network to broadcast the ceremony. However, Netflix is facing challenges due to the recent changes following Warner Bros.’ acquisition.

According to a source who spoke with Variety, the potential buyer of Warner Bros., previously considering a deal over the summer, is no longer involved. This follows Netflix’s announcement of a multi-billion-dollar acquisition plan for Warner Bros., which has sparked significant disagreement within Hollywood, including opposition from the Writers Guild of America.

For the past 5 to 10 years, the Academy Awards has been working on a new deal for broadcasting the ceremony. Currently, ABC is the official broadcaster and has the rights through 2028, when the 100th Oscars will be held. While both Netflix and YouTube were considered as potential partners, Netflix is no longer in discussions.

The Academy Awards

NBCUniversal is now a strong possibility to host the Academy Awards, boosted by the success of broadcasting the 2024 Summer Olympics and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, which drew a record 43.3 million viewers. YouTube is also still in the running, and sources at Variety have noted that it consistently gets more views from clips and highlights of past Oscar ceremonies than traditional broadcasters get for the live show itself.

The Oscars first aired on NBC in 1953, then moved to ABC for a decade in 1961, before returning to NBC from 1971 to 1975. ABC’s current contract ends in 2028, after which they will have broadcast 50 Oscar ceremonies. Hosting the event reportedly costs ABC around $120 million each year, according to three different sources.

Everyone’s talking about Netflix’s recent $83 billion deal to buy Warner Bros. and all its content. In an announcement today, December 6th, Netflix stated that things will stay the same for now, and HBO Max will continue to be available as its own service. It’s expected to take a year to a year and a half for Netflix and Warner Bros. to fully combine.

Netflix is likely to adjust its subscription costs now that it’s adding a large collection of TV shows and movies from Warner Bros. This wouldn’t be unusual – Netflix has raised prices before, most recently earlier in 2024.

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2025-12-06 21:14