YouTube has emerged victorious in what industry insiders describe as an intense bidding war for the Oscars’ exclusive global streaming rights. The four-year agreement, effective from 2029 to 2033, represents a paradigm shift in how major awards ceremonies are distributed and consumed by audiences worldwide.
The partnership encompasses a remarkably broad scope of content, extending well beyond the televised ceremony itself. YouTube will offer comprehensive coverage including red carpet festivities, exclusive backstage content, Governors Ball footage, the Governors Awards, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, student Academy awards, member interviews, educational programs, and podcasts.
Academy executives Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized that this partnership aligns perfectly with their organization’s international mission. With voting membership expanding globally and international representation now exceeding 20%, the move to a universally accessible platform enables the Academy to better serve its worldwide community of film professionals and enthusiasts.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan articulated his vision for the partnership as one that honors the Oscars’ rich heritage while cultivating new generations of filmmakers and cinema lovers. The platform’s recent achievements, including record viewership numbers and successful live sports broadcasting, demonstrate its readiness to host events of this caliber.
Industry observers note that several major players, including Netflix and NBCUniversal, had competed for these rights. The deal comes as traditional television continues losing ground to streaming platforms, with this year’s ABC broadcast attracting 19.7 million viewers compared to the 1998 peak of 57 million viewers.