Overview
- Bill Kramer, the Academy CEO, confirmed on Sept. 26, 2026 that the Oscars will shift to YouTube starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029.
- The YouTube agreement covers the main telecast plus a wide slate of related programming including the red carpet pre-show, nominations announcement, Governors Awards, Student Academy Awards, Scientific and Technical Awards, interviews, education programs, and podcasts.
- Kramer said negotiations are already underway with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and that the Academy plans a “very different-looking” ceremony with new interactive features and translated streams to reach more non-U.S. viewers.
- The decision follows a decline in linear and streaming TV viewership for the Oscars, with Nielsen reporting 17.86 million U.S. viewers for the 2026 telecast, and the Academy described the YouTube deal as commercially favorable.
- The Academy will keep its existing Disney/ABC broadcast partnership for the next two years as it prepares the transition, while positioning the platform move as a bid to capture younger and larger global audiences and extend the life of Oscar-related content.