Academy Awards YouTube Livestream Deal 2029
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Academy Awards to Stream on youtube Starting 2029
Table of Contents
Published On 18 Dec 2025
What Happened?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced a groundbreaking deal with YouTube to livestream the Academy Awards beginning in 2029. This marks the first time in over 50 years the ceremony will not be broadcast on traditional television, ending its long-standing partnership with ABC. The multi-year agreement encompasses the live broadcast, pre- and post-show content, and select clips.
AMPAS CEO bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor stated the partnership with YouTube will enable the awards to reach a “unprecedented global scale.” The move signals a significant embrace of digital platforms and a desire to connect with a broader, more diverse audience, particularly younger demographics who increasingly consume content online.
Why the Shift to YouTube?
Several factors likely contributed to this decision. Traditional television viewership is declining,especially among younger audiences. youtube boasts over 2.5 billion monthly active users, offering the Academy access to a massive potential viewership. Furthermore, YouTube’s capabilities in live streaming, interactive features, and global reach are unmatched by traditional broadcast networks.
The financial terms of the deal haven’t been publicly disclosed, but industry analysts speculate YouTube offered a substantially more lucrative package than ABC, particularly considering the declining ratings of the Oscars in recent years. According to Nielsen data,the 2024 Academy Awards drew an average of 18.8 million viewers on ABC, a slight increase from 2023 but still well below the pre-pandemic numbers of over 29 million in 2020.
| Year | Viewership (Millions) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18.8 | Nielsen |
| 2023 | 18.7 | Nielsen |
| 2022 | 16.6 | Nielsen |
| 2020 | 29.6 | Nielsen |
Impact on ABC and Traditional Broadcasting
The loss of the Academy Awards is a significant blow to ABC, a cornerstone of its annual programming schedule. The Oscars traditionally generate ample advertising revenue and prestige for the network. This move further accelerates the trend of major events migrating from traditional television to streaming platforms. Other high-profile events, like the Super Bowl, still command massive television audiences