The Academy Awards are preparing for one of the most significant distribution changes in their century-long history. Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will stream globally on YouTube under a new multi-year agreement with Google’s video platform, marking a decisive pivot toward digital-first distribution as traditional television audiences continue to fragment. The move reflects how even Hollywood’s most established institutions are adapting to evolving viewer habits and the growing dominance of global streaming platforms.

A Strategic Break From Traditional Broadcast Models

Under the agreement, YouTube will host the Oscars from 2029 through 2033, offering live global coverage, red carpet programming, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive footage from the Governors Ball. In the U.S., the ceremony will be available through YouTube TV, while international viewers will be able to watch for free on YouTube, dramatically expanding access beyond legacy broadcasters.

The Academy’s current domestic and international partnerships with Disney and ABC will continue through 2028, including the 100th Academy Awards. The YouTube deal therefore represents not a sudden break, but a carefully timed transition as long-standing television agreements expire. For the Academy, the move balances continuity with modernization, ensuring stability while positioning the Oscars for the next generation of viewers.

YouTube’s Expanding Role in Premium Live Events

For YouTube, the Oscars agreement reinforces its evolution from a user-generated video platform into a major distributor of premium live events. Over the past decade, YouTube has steadily expanded into sports, live news, and cultural events, supported by the growth of YouTube TV and improvements in global streaming infrastructure.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan framed the partnership as a way to preserve the Oscars’ cultural legacy while amplifying its global reach. From a strategic standpoint, the deal strengthens YouTube’s appeal to advertisers and creators alike, anchoring its platform around high-profile, appointment-based viewing that has traditionally belonged to linear television.

Hollywood’s Search for Relevance and Reach

The Oscars have faced declining traditional TV viewership for years, reflecting broader shifts in entertainment consumption. Younger audiences increasingly engage with film culture through short-form clips, social platforms, and streaming services rather than broadcast television. By moving to YouTube, the Academy gains access to billions of monthly users and a distribution model designed for discovery, sharing, and on-demand engagement.

Academy leadership emphasized that the partnership will expand access to its work and benefit filmmakers and members alike. The ability to reach global audiences directly, without geographic or pay-TV barriers, aligns with the increasingly international nature of the film industry and awards race.

What the Shift Signals for Media and Investors

From an industry perspective, the YouTube deal highlights how power continues to shift from traditional media conglomerates toward global technology platforms. It also underscores how prestige content is being used strategically to anchor ecosystems, drive subscriptions, and attract premium advertising dollars.

For Hollywood, the question is no longer whether streaming will reshape legacy events, but how effectively institutions can adapt without diluting their brand. The Academy’s approach suggests a hybrid future—one that blends free global access with subscription-based distribution in key markets.