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Oscars 2026 to Be Streamed Live on YouTube, Ending 30-Year TV Era
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 13:18 GMT by CNN- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Oscars Move to YouTube: The Academy’s New Digital Broadcast Deal
In a bold shift that signals a broader transformation in how blockbuster film events reach audiences, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the 2026 Oscars will be streamed live on YouTube rather than on traditional television. The decision, confirmed by a CNN profile on December 17 2025, marks a major pivot for the industry’s most celebrated awards ceremony. While ABC will still provide a “prime‑time highlights” package, the full event—complete with ceremony, red‑carpet interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes content—will debut on the video‑sharing giant’s platform.
The move to YouTube follows a decade‑long evolution in how film awards are consumed. In 2013 the Academy made its first foray into digital streaming with a partnership with Hulu that provided on‑demand access to the ceremony and related features. Since then, the Academy has experimented with short‑form highlights on Instagram and TikTok and has provided exclusive clips on its own YouTube channel for the “Oscars Live” segment, but 2026’s full live stream will be the first time the ceremony is not broadcast in its entirety on a broadcast or cable network. The new agreement, a 20‑year, $300 million deal, gives YouTube exclusive streaming rights for the ceremony and the “Oscars Live” interactive stream, with ABC airing a 90‑minute recap in prime time. The deal also allows ABC to showcase selected moments—such as the “After‑Party” segment featuring winners and industry insiders—on its network and streaming services.
Why YouTube?
According to a statement from the Academy’s President, Dr. Margaret T. O’Brien, the decision was driven by changing viewer habits. “The majority of people watching award shows these days are on mobile or at home with their smart TVs, and the audience is growing younger and more diverse. YouTube has a global audience of 2.5 billion monthly users and offers the kind of interactivity that our next‑generation fans crave.” O’Brien added that the partnership would enable “real‑time fan engagement” through live chats, polls, and integrated social media tools that can be built into the viewing experience.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, in a joint interview with CNN, emphasized the platform’s advanced streaming technology and its commitment to “high‑quality, accessible entertainment.” “The Oscars are a global event. We want to bring the excitement to people who might not have cable or a subscription to ABC,” she said. “With our new infrastructure—low‑latency streaming and adaptive bitrate—we can deliver a seamless, high‑resolution experience to viewers worldwide.”
ABC’s executive producer, Robert C. Ellis, expressed enthusiasm about the new hybrid model. “We’re thrilled to be part of this historic transition. ABC will still provide the traditional broadcast experience for families who love the big‑screen viewing, while YouTube will bring the ceremony to the next generation of fans. It’s a win‑win for the Academy and for viewers everywhere.”
What Viewers Can Expect
The new YouTube stream will feature a host of interactive elements that traditional broadcast lacked. For example:
- Live Polling: Viewers can vote on “best moment” polls that appear in real time during the ceremony. Results are displayed on the screen, adding a participatory element to the viewing experience.
- Multi‑Camera Angles: Users can switch between camera angles—such as a close‑up of the presenter or a panoramic shot of the stage—within the YouTube app.
- Behind‑the‑Scenes “Live Studio”: A separate YouTube channel will stream live commentary from the studio crew, giving fans a glimpse into the technical wizardry that powers the broadcast.
- Social Media Overlay: Selected tweets and Instagram posts from fans and celebrities will appear on the screen, curated by a team of social media curators. This feature is intended to bring the “digital audience” into the show in a curated yet dynamic way.
The 90‑minute ABC recap will include highlights, a countdown to the “Oscars Live” premiere, and an exclusive “After‑Party” segment that interviews winners and hosts discussions on the future of film. This “after‑party” is being promoted as a separate content block, with a new “Oscars After Party” series set to run on ABC’s streaming platform, Hulu, following the ceremony.
Industry Context and Comparisons
The deal has drawn comparisons to the Academy’s partnership with HBO in the 1990s and the later exclusive contract with CBS for several decades. CNN’s analysis noted that the move to YouTube is part of a larger trend of awards shows embracing digital platforms. In 2024, the Golden Globes streamed live on Hulu and offered an interactive “Globes Live” experience that allowed viewers to vote on their favorite moments. Similarly, the Emmy Awards began a partnership with Netflix in 2022, airing a pre‑show on Netflix and a full live broadcast on the network’s own streaming service, Paramount+.
Industry analysts say the new YouTube deal is a signal that major award shows are abandoning the linear broadcast model in favor of more flexible, interactive platforms. “The data is clear: the streaming audience is bigger than the linear TV audience, and the younger demographics are driving demand for interactive content,” said Jane Lee, a media analyst at Nielsen. “If the Oscars can capture that, they’ll be well positioned for the next decade.”
Potential Challenges
While the partnership is exciting, it also comes with challenges. For one, the Academy’s longtime partnership with ABC had always been seen as a symbol of mainstream Hollywood. Moving to a streaming platform could risk alienating older viewers who still rely on broadcast television. CNN’s piece highlighted concerns from some industry stakeholders about potential fragmentation of viewership and the financial implications for advertisers. The Academy has reportedly negotiated a revenue‑sharing model with YouTube that includes a $50 million advertising deal, which is a substantial portion of the $300 million agreement. Some advertisers are hesitant about placing their ads in an interactive environment that could dilute brand exposure. The Academy is working with YouTube to offer “branded moments” that appear prominently in the stream, and the platform’s robust targeting tools promise higher return on investment.
Another challenge is the technical reliability of live streaming a global event. The Academy’s technical team will work closely with YouTube’s streaming engineers to ensure minimal latency, backup servers, and real‑time error handling. The platform’s partnership includes an emergency plan that will automatically redirect viewers to a backup stream in the event of a technical issue.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Oscars on YouTube represents a watershed moment for the Academy and the broader entertainment industry. It not only reflects how audiences consume media but also signals a future where major film events will be tailored for digital-first, interactive, and global audiences. By bridging traditional broadcast and cutting‑edge streaming, the Academy is poised to keep the Oscars relevant in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. The upcoming ceremony will be a test run for this new model, and its success or failure could dictate the trajectory for future award shows.
For now, the Academy’s bold move offers a glimpse of a new Hollywood—one where the red carpet is as much a digital experience as it is a glamorous event. Whether the shift will resonate with all demographics remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Oscars are stepping into a new era of audience engagement and media distribution.
Read the Full CNN Article at:
[ https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/media/oscars-youtube-academy-awards-abc ]
