• YouTube will livestream the Oscars starting in 2029, ending over 50 years of ABC broadcast rights.
• The deal aims to enhance global reach and accessibility to the ceremony.
• Ratings for the Oscars have declined significantly, prompting the switch to digital streaming.
• YouTube's livestream will include closed captioning and multi-language audio tracks for a broader audience.
• The agreement covers several Academy events alongside the Oscars through 2033.

The annual Academy Awards will transition from ABC's television broadcast to YouTube starting in 2029, marking a significant change in how the prestigious event will be viewed worldwide. This partnership, announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ends ABC's long-standing relationship that began in 1976, amidst declining ratings for both the Oscars and Hollywood award shows, as audiences increasingly favor streaming platforms, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The agreement, which will span from 2029 to 2033, is designed to provide viewers with unprecedented access to the Oscars and related events, including the Governors Awards and Oscar nominees luncheon. YouTube will make the Oscars available globally for free, while offering features like closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages for improved accessibility, as highlighted by India Times and Channel News Asia.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan referred to the Oscars as "one of our essential cultural institutions," emphasizing the platform's commitment to celebrating cinema and inspiring future generations. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor echoed this sentiment, stating that the collaboration will significantly enhance the Academy's ability to reach a global audience, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

The decision follows a period of declining viewership for the Oscars; the 2025 ceremony garnered 19.7 million viewers, a significant drop from the peak viewership of 57 million in 1998. ABC reportedly sought to reduce its licensing fees due to these challenges, making YouTube's offer, reportedly exceeding $100 million, more attractive, as noted by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.