In a decision that will reshape how global audiences experience cinema’s premier awards night, the Academy Awards are moving exclusively to YouTube beginning in 2029. This landmark four-year deal running through 2033 marks the culmination of entertainment’s ongoing digital transformation and positions YouTube as the home for Hollywood’s most prestigious annual celebration.
The partnership’s breadth extends well beyond simply streaming the main ceremony. YouTube will provide comprehensive coverage including red carpet festivities, behind-the-scenes exclusives, Governors Ball footage, the Governors Awards, nomination events, the nominees Luncheon, student filmmaker awards, continuous educational content, podcasts, and intimate filmmaker interviews—creating a complete year-round Academy presence.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized how this decision serves their organization’s global mission. With international membership now representing over 20% of Academy voters, partnering with a universally accessible platform enables the organization to reach the broadest possible audience and better serve their worldwide community of film professionals.
YouTube’s position as America’s most-watched streaming service and recent success with live event broadcasting make it an ideal partner for this transition. The platform’s NFL broadcast attracted more than 17 million viewers, proving its capability to handle high-stakes live events with massive global audiences and complex technical requirements.
The entertainment industry has watched traditional television viewership decline steadily, with this year’s ABC broadcast drawing 19.7 million viewers compared to 57 million in 1998. YouTube TV’s trajectory toward becoming America’s largest pay-TV service, with 9.4 million subscribers, further illustrates the shifting media landscape that prompted this historic partnership.
