YouTube will stream the Oscars – exclusively – starting in 2029

YouTube has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast the Academy Awards ceremony starting in 2029, from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Announce Wednesday. The Google-owned platform beat out other contenders, including ABC, the longtime home of the Oscars, ending the network’s streak of hosting the awards show since 1976 (except Short period In the early 1970s).

Premiering on YouTube will be the 101st Academy Awards in 2029, and its deal will run through 2033. ABC will continue to broadcast the ceremony through 2028.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The news, marking a historic turn for one of television’s most notable events, takes the spotlight on YouTube Increasing dominance of the television space And a big shift as live streaming takes on more live events. The concert will be available live and free to more than 2 billion viewers worldwide on YouTube, as well as YouTube TV subscribers in the US. The move comes as the Academy Awards’ ratings have steadily declined from a peak of 55 million viewers in 1998 to nearly 20 million viewers in recent years, prompting the Academy to explore new ways to reach audiences.

“We are thrilled to enter into a multi-faceted, global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Academy Awards and year-round Academy programming,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the Academy’s work to the widest possible audience around the world – which will be beneficial to Academy members and the film community.”

As part of the deal, YouTube will not only stream the ceremony, but will also include red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Oscar nominations announcement, interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, access to the Governors Ball, film education programs, podcasts, and more.

“The Oscars are one of our core cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and art,” YouTube CEO Neil Mohan said in a statement. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers around the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film fans while preserving the legacy of the Academy Awards.”

Although this isn’t the first time a streamer has acquired the rights to the award show – Netflix It is secured SAG Awards Rights – This is the first time that one of the four major awards shows (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and Tonys) has completely left broadcast television in favor of live streaming.