The Oscars Will Officially Stream on YouTube in 2029

by

If you’ve been wondering where to watch the Oscars online, here’s some good news! Starting in 2029 and continuing through 2033, you’ll be able to stream the Academy Awards for free on YouTube. The livestream will be available globally, with options like closed captions and audio in multiple languages.

The next Oscars will air on ABC on Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Central Time, as the network has the broadcast rights through 2028. According to Variety, the new agreement also includes streaming coverage of events like the Governors Ball and the red carpet. Starting in 2029, YouTube will become the exclusive home for the Oscars, with a multi-year deal to livestream the ceremony. Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor, the CEO and President of the Academy, jointly announced their enthusiasm about partnering with YouTube.

We’re excited to team up with YouTube as the new global home for the Oscars and all of our Academy events throughout the year. As an international organization, the Academy wants to reach the widest possible audience, and this partnership will help us do that, benefiting our members and the entire film community.

This partnership will use YouTube’s massive audience to bring fresh and exciting ways to experience the Oscars and other Academy events, while still respecting our traditions. It will allow us to celebrate movies, encourage aspiring filmmakers, and share the history of film with more people around the world than ever before.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan welcomed the agreement, calling the Oscars a vital cultural event that recognizes outstanding filmmaking and artistry. He explained that the partnership with the Academy will allow them to share this celebration of art and entertainment with a global audience, encouraging a new wave of creativity and film enthusiasm while respecting the Oscars’ long-standing tradition.

The “Problem” With the Oscars Streaming on YouTube

The agreement also addresses the surprise felt by those who didn’t anticipate this outcome. The Academy was exploring partnerships with various streaming services, and according to Variety, YouTube offered a nine-figure sum for the rights to broadcast the Oscars. While Disney/ABC thought NBCUniversal would win the bid, they were surprised by the Academy’s choice to work with a non-traditional platform like YouTube.

Why could the Oscars moving to YouTube be a big deal? It could completely change how the show is made. While YouTube isn’t currently equipped to handle a live stream of this size like Netflix or Amazon, they have time – time to improve their platform and prevent the technical issues that often plague live broadcasts. Plus, they won’t be bound by the network’s usual restrictions that have always prevented the ceremony from being shorter. Having the Oscars on YouTube could lead to a very different show.

Unlike in previous years, people aren’t currently asking YouTube to shorten the Oscars ceremony, reduce the number of awards, or choose a specific host. One source mentioned that YouTube has complete freedom to do as it pleases, even suggesting a six-hour Oscars hosted by MrBeast – though that might not be the best idea! This highlights the potential for significant changes when the Oscars begin streaming on YouTube, and it’s likely the show will evolve into something quite different. While the change is still a few years away, it’s a good time to start thinking about what the future of the Oscars might look like.

Read More

2025-12-17 22:18