Oscars to Stream on YouTube Starting 2029: A New Era for Watching Prestigious Film Awards

Kapanlagi.com - The most prestigious film awards in the world, the Academy Awards or known as the Oscars, will make a big splash. Starting in 2029, this grand event will exclusively stream on YouTube.

This decision marks the end of a long partnership of five decades with the ABC television network. The live broadcast of the 101st Oscars from 2029 to 2033 will be fully available on the digital platform YouTube.

This strategic move is taken to reach a wider global audience and adapt to changing entertainment consumption patterns. Viewers around the world can watch the event for free.

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1. The Move of the Oscars to YouTube: Why Did It Happen?

The decision to move the Oscars broadcast to YouTube reflects a significant change in the global entertainment industry. This is an adaptive effort to remain relevant amidst shifting audience trends.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) sees great potential in YouTube to reach billions of users worldwide. This partnership is expected to massively expand access to this film awards event.

2. Wider Global Audience Reach

YouTube has over 2 billion active users every month worldwide. This partnership will allow the Oscars to be accessed by the largest global audience ever.

Academy CEO, Bill Kramer, and Academy President, Lynette Howell Taylor, stated that this is a step towards expanding access to Academy works globally. They want to inspire a new generation of film lovers.

3. Declining Traditional TV Viewership

The Oscars have faced a decline in viewership on traditional television since its peak in the mid-1990s. The 2025 viewership attracted around 19.7 million viewers, far from the 40 million figure of previous eras.

The shift to digital platforms has become a solution to address this challenge. Many viewers are now turning to streaming services and online content.

4. Accessibility and Additional Features

The Oscar broadcast on YouTube will be available for free, without the need for a cable subscription or paywall. Features such as closed captioning and audio descriptions in various languages will enhance accessibility.

This is a core part of the Academy's accessibility push to reach a more diverse audience. YouTube will also showcase behind-the-scenes content and red carpet coverage.

5. Increasing Interest and Creativity

YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan, hopes this partnership will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers. It also aims to stay true to the illustrious legacy of the Oscars.

This collaboration will leverage YouTube's extensive reach and provide innovative opportunities for engagement. The goal is to celebrate cinema and inspire new filmmakers.

6. A Brief History of the Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, or Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical achievements in film. These awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

AMPAS was founded in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM studios, to advance the film industry. Douglas Fairbanks was appointed as its first president.

7. Oscar First Broadcast

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929, as a private dinner event. The event lasted only 15 minutes.

In 1930, the second ceremony was the first to be broadcasted on radio. The Oscars were first televised in 1953 by NBC.

ABC took over the broadcasting rights in 1960 and aired the Oscars in color for the first time in 1966. ABC's current contract will run until 2028.

The Oscars have been broadcast internationally since 1969, showcasing its global reach. The shift to YouTube is the next evolution in the broadcasting history.

(kpl/ums)