The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has struck a landmark distribution agreement with YouTube that will fundamentally reshape how the Oscars are delivered to a global audience.
Under a new multi-year deal, YouTube will hold the exclusive worldwide rights to the Oscars beginning with the 101st ceremony in 2029 and running through 2033. The agreement positions YouTube as the future global home of the Academy Awards and significantly expands access to one of entertainment’s most iconic live events.
Starting in 2029, the Oscars will stream live and free on YouTube to more than 2 billion users worldwide. In the United States, the ceremony also will be available to YouTube TV subscribers. The coverage will extend beyond the televised broadcast. YouTube will carry red carpet arrivals and behind-the-scenes programming. It will also feature Governors Ball access. Additional exclusive content tied to Hollywood’s biggest night will be included.
Accessibility is a central focus of the partnership. YouTube plans to support the Academy’s growing international audience. It will offer closed captioning in multiple languages. Audio tracks will also be available. These efforts will help the Oscars reach viewers across regions and cultures in real time.
The deal also expands YouTube’s role as a year-round destination for Academy programming. Through the official Oscars YouTube channel, film fans will receive exclusive worldwide access to a broad range of Academy events and initiatives.
That slate includes the Governors Awards and the Oscars nominations announcements. It also covers the Oscars Nominees Luncheon and the Student Academy Awards. The Scientific and Technical Awards are included as well. Additionally, there will be a variety of filmmaker and Academy member interviews. Educational programming, podcasts, and additional film-focused content will also be part of the offering.
Beyond live events and original programming, the partnership incorporates Google Arts & Culture as a digital extension of the Academy’s mission. The initiative will provide global access to select Academy Museum exhibitions and programs, while also helping digitize portions of the Academy Collection. The archive is the largest film-related collection in the world, featuring more than 52 million items spanning cinema history.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said the collaboration reflects the organization’s increasingly global outlook.
“We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” they said in a joint statement. “This partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible while honoring our legacy.”
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called the Oscars “one of our essential cultural institutions” and emphasized the platform’s ability to inspire new generations of creators and film fans while preserving the event’s storied tradition.
The new agreement does not immediately impact the Oscars’ current broadcast arrangements. The Academy’s domestic partnership with Disney’s ABC will continue through the 100th Oscars in 2028. Disney’s Buena Vista International will also continue handling international distribution.
Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will enter a new era. This era will be driven by global streaming scale and digital engagement. It will also feature expanded access through YouTube.
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