YouTube Wins Bidding War for Exclusive Oscar Broadcasting Rights

In a development that reshapes entertainment industry broadcasting, YouTube has secured exclusive worldwide rights to the Academy Awards through a four-year agreement beginning in 2029. This landmark deal concludes competitive bidding among major media companies and signals the definitive shift from traditional television networks to digital streaming platforms for premium live entertainment events.
The comprehensive agreement provides YouTube with complete control over Oscar-related content and programming. Beyond the main ceremony, the package includes red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes exclusive footage, Governors Ball access, nomination announcements, the nominees Luncheon, Governors Awards, Student Academy Awards, filmmaker interviews, film education programs, and podcast content. This year-round programming strategy aims to maintain continuous audience engagement rather than limiting Oscar content to a single annual event.
Academy leadership characterized this partnership as crucial for achieving their organization’s global mission. Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor jointly emphasized that international reach and accessibility represent primary motivations behind the decision. As the Academy continues diversifying its membership, with 21% of voters now residing outside America, digital distribution through a worldwide platform like YouTube provides logical alignment with organizational demographics and values.
Neal Mohan, serving as YouTube’s CEO, expressed commitment to balancing innovation with tradition. He praised the Oscars as an essential cultural institution while promising to inspire emerging generations of creative talent and film enthusiasts. This approach recognizes that successful stewardship of the Academy Awards requires both respecting established traditions and embracing new technologies that enhance accessibility and engagement.
The competitive bidding process reportedly included major industry players such as Netflix, NBCUniversal, and Disney, which previously paid approximately $100 million annually for broadcast rights. YouTube’s victory reflects its growing dominance in streaming viewership, having achieved record shares throughout the current year and successfully hosted its first live NFL game in September with over 17 million viewers. Analysts predict YouTube TV will become America’s largest pay-TV service by next year, building on 9.4 million subscribers as of April. Disney’s ABC network will broadcast its final three ceremonies through 2028, including the centennial celebration.