YouTube’s Oscars
The Academy has selected its new home, which will be YouTube after it completes its deal with ABC in 2029.
This is a seismic shift for the awards business; the move will end a broadcast relationship with ABC that dates back to 1976.
The deal extends far beyond the telecast itself.
YouTube will also carry red carpet coverage, nominations announcements, the Governors Awards, the Student Academy Awards, technical ceremonies, filmmaker interviews, podcasts, and education programming. Google Arts & Culture will partner with the Academy Museum to digitize portions of its vast collection.
In a way, it’s surprising that the Academy, often criticized for being slow to change and shift, has decided the best place is among the people, but the eyes don’t lie; last week’s Game Awards garnered about 171M global livestreams, setting a new viewership record for the event.
For comparison, the Oscars have been on a decline:
2025: 19.7 M viewers
2024: 19.5 M viewers
2023: 18.8 M viewers
2022: 16.6 M viewers
2021: 10.4 M viewers
2000: 46.3 M viewers
Something as prestigious as the Oscars will absolutely break records… in 2029.