YouTube has secured the exclusive rights to stream the Oscars, capturing one of entertainment’s prized live events from traditional broadcasters and allowing it to be seen only in the streaming era. The deal covers the 101st ceremony through the 105th and is a sign that the way Hollywood’s premier night connects with viewers is going through a structural change.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is betting that free, worldwide exposure on the planet’s largest video platform can reverse years of long-term ratings erosion and make it more relevant to younger viewers who live online. For YouTube, it’s a marquee claim that its aspirations extend to the very top of the live-programming food chain.
Breaking With Tradition in Broadcasting
The Oscars’ shift marks a historic departure from decades of broadcast tradition, capping off a nearly 50-year period during which one network was the home of Hollywood’s big night. It is the first time one of the four major awards franchises will live solely on a streaming platform, which marks a momentous era after earlier experiments like Netflix’s airing of the SAG Awards.
The move is in line with broader industry patterns. Nielsen’s The Gauge has consistently reported streaming as the top share of U.S. television usage, regularly eclipsing 40% of total viewing. Meanwhile, viewership for awards telecasts has declined from historic highs of nearly 55 million to more recent figures that hover closer to 20 million. A platform that can reach more than 2 billion logged-in users every month provides an obvious counter to that trend.
Why the Academy Picked YouTube for Oscars Streaming
Two things jump out: global reach and audience makeup. YouTube’s footprint covers nearly all of the places where the Academy aims to increase awareness of theatrical films. Its prime-time viewership trends younger than broadcast, putting the telecast in front of demographics that over-index on creators, gaming and short-form video — adjacent cultures to which real-time buzz is affiliated.
The platform’s ad marketplace is an additional lure. With advanced targeting, brand safety controls and the ability to sell sponsorships across live streams, Shorts and on-demand recaps of content, YouTube can put together integrated packages that broadcasters have a hard time competing with. Look for category exclusivities around areas like red carpet coverage, fashion, beauty, tech and automotive, and shoppable formats that bridge the gap between what’s on screen and making purchases.
What Viewers Can Expect From YouTube’s Oscars Coverage
The agreement goes way beyond the main show. It’s wall-to-wall coverage that includes nominations announcements, red carpet streaming, backstage and Governors Ball access, filmmaker Q&As and a wave of creator-led programming that translates insider craft into accessible tales. Highlights, acceptance speeches and behind-the-scenes reels would be instantaneously available on YouTube and Shorts in an effort to keep up with the social-first consumption experienced by today’s audience.
On the tech side, expect to see multiple audio tracks, international subtitles, audio descriptions and real-time moderation in live chat. Multiview, 4K HDR and dynamic ad insertion are some of the features that could be used to enhance the experience and monetization. For U.S. households, carriage on YouTube TV means the ceremony remains available to pay-TV subscribers in addition to those who choose to watch the free global feed.
The Business Math Behind YouTube’s Oscars Deal
Terms were not disclosed, but the logic is plain. Awards shows are high-intent, brand-safe moments at scale. On broadcast, CPMs are already some of the most expensive in entertainment; on YouTube, such rates may be further boosted by enhancements like targeting, interactivity and post-show shelf life. Sponsors aren’t just buying one particular night — they’re buying a months-long content arc from nominations through highlights that continue to rack up views.
Measurement will be closely watched. Nielsen is able to measure co-viewing and connected-TV impressions, while YouTube’s first-party metrics include concurrent viewers, watch time and international reach. If streaming generates a larger total audience and stronger engagement, it will give the Academy a stronger hand in future negotiations and could reset expectations for how much digital platforms can charge to host live events.
Implications for Rivals as Oscars Move to YouTube
For older networks, the loss is a reminder of how difficult it can be to maintain cultural tentpoles when viewing becomes fragmented. For streamers, it’s a blueprint. Amazon made an impressive connected-TV showcase out of Thursday Night Football. Apple overhauled a global soccer league with subscriptions and production improvements. Peacock has veered toward live sports and Olympics coverage. In the Oscars, YouTube takes a different kind of live event — global, unscripted and deeply social.
The precedent will encourage the Emmys, Grammys and Tonys to aim for hybrid or streaming-forward models. It also introduces new operational challenges: managing latency, overseeing chat at very high scale, regional rights complexity, making sure that the creator content supports rather than cannibalizes the main show.
What to Watch Next as YouTube Takes Over Oscars
Anticipate the Academy and YouTube experimenting with interactivity that feels native to the platform — live polls, watch-alongs with creators, multilingual feeds and educational series that demystify crafts like sound, editing and VFX. If done right, the Oscars could become less a single night and more of a year-round international film festival — rebuilding cachet without losing scale.
The fundamental question here is: Can the video platform that’s most open to free uploads in all the world turn Hollywood’s biggest night into streaming’s most dependable live hit?
With the 101st through 105th ceremonies under its belt, YouTube now has the runway — and the audience — to give it a whirl.
