Hollywood’s most glamorous night is getting a 21st-century makeover. In a historic shift announced today, the Academy Awards will no longer be broadcast on ABC once their current deal expires — instead, the Oscars will move exclusively to YouTube starting in 2029.
For more than half a century, ABC has been the home of Oscar night, bringing red-carpet fashion, tear-jerking speeches, and unforgettable moments into living rooms across America. That run will continue only through the 100th Oscars in 2028. But beginning with the 101st ceremony in 2029, YouTube will hold the global streaming rights through at least 2033, turning the iconic awards show into a digital-first event.
The move reflects the rapid evolution of how audiences watch entertainment. YouTube’s massive worldwide platform — with billions of users — promises to make the Oscars accessible to a far larger and more international audience, with free live streaming, red-carpet coverage, multilingual audio tracks, and behind-the-scenes content.
While traditional broadcast TV bows out, Hollywood’s biggest celebration of film is stepping boldly into the future — proving that even the most venerable institutions can go viral.