The Final Cut: Why the Oscars are Leaving ABC for a YouTube-Only Future in 2029

According to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Oscars will be livestreamed exclusively on YouTube starting in 2029, ending a long-standing broadcast partnership with ABC, the Disney-owned US network. ABC will retain broadcast rights through 2028, the year marking the 100th Academy Awards, before passing the torch to YouTube for the 101st ceremony.

The move is framed as part of a broader shift to digital platforms, with the official Oscars YouTube channel becoming a hub for Governors Awards, nominees announcements, the Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards. The Google Arts & Culture initiative will join the partnership to digitise the Academy’s film archives, expanding access worldwide.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor are quoted as saying the collaboration will help reach a broad global audience. The article also notes that Netflix has secured the SAG Awards rights, while Amazon and Apple are expanding into live sports, underscoring a trend toward streaming for major events.