The Oscars depart from ABC and partner with Google to bring awards to YouTube
The Academy and YouTube have signed a multi-year deal that will give the platform exclusive rights to the Oscars starting in 2029 until 2033.
Not only will YouTube have access to the Oscars, but the platform will also have the rights to behind-the-scenes content.
The Oscars and all related content will be made freely available to YouTube’s two million user base and its YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.
“YouTube will help make the Oscars accessible to The Academy’s growing global audience through features such as closed captioning and audio tracks available in multiple languages,” The Academy said in a statement.
“The Oscars” will have its own home on YouTube, and exclusive content will be made available via its YouTube channel.
“This will include the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominations Announcement, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film education programs, podcasts, and more.”
The Oscars will stream its 101st awards ceremony on YouTube in 2029 and will continue to air the awards on the platform until 2033.
“This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor
“We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers, and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
This prestigious awards ceremony was once held on the broadcasting channel ABC, who still have exclusive rights to The Oscars content until 2028.
YouTube, unlike other major streaming platforms like Netflix, doesn’t have an already established production infrastructure.
Therefore, YouTube has roughly three years to create one that will produce The Oscars.
But this could make for an interesting awards ceremony, as YouTube has the control to put on whatever kind of show it wants.
One insider told Variety that YouTube “can do whatever they want” and could even “have a six-hour Oscars hosted by MrBeast.
This is likely one of the biggest deals of the decade for YouTube and a strategic partnership for The Academy.
ABC paid $100 million per year to host The Oscars and would generate $140 million annually from ad revenue, part of which would be shared with The Academy, according to The New York Times.
Insiders have said that YouTube may have paid nine figures to acquire the rights to The Oscars, according to Variety.
Not only could this be a financial success for YouTube, but it’s also demonstrating how The Academy is interested in diversifying its audience while also keeping up with the times.
Users already head to YouTube to check out clips of The Oscars without watching the full awards ceremony.
So, this partnership not only keeps The Academy Awards relevant but also helps to bring it to an international audience, as anyone worldwide will be able to stream The Oscars via YouTube.]
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