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Oscars Shift from ABC to YouTube: A New Era for Hollywood Award Shows

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. youtube-a-new-era-for-hollywood-award-shows.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 20:50 GMT by Entertainment Weekly

Oscars Move From ABC to YouTube: Entertainment Weekly Breaks Down Why It’s a Positive Shift

The Oscars have long been synonymous with the big‑screen spectacle on network television, and for more than a decade the Academy’s flagship event aired on ABC. Yet, as Entertainment Weekly (EW) reports, the ceremony’s broadcast partner will switch to YouTube for the 2025 Oscars—marking a seismic shift for Hollywood’s most‑watched awards show. The article titled “Oscars moving from ABC to YouTube is a good thing” explores the reasoning behind this change, how the new arrangement will work in practice, and what it could mean for the future of televised awards shows.

The Backstory: ABC’s Long‑Standing Relationship

ABC’s involvement with the Oscars began in the 1960s, when the network helped to bring the ceremony to mainstream television audiences. Over the decades the Academy’s broadcast has fluctuated in popularity: the 2023 ceremony drew roughly 3.9 million U.S. viewers—a 20 percent decline from the 2019 broadcast and a sharp drop compared to the 2017 and 2018 viewership spikes that hit 6 million+ on ABC. EW notes that the network’s ratings slump prompted the Academy to evaluate its long‑standing partnership, especially as younger audiences increasingly consume content online.

The decision to end the ABC partnership wasn’t made lightly. According to a statement from Disney’s President of ABC, “ABC has been a critical platform for the Oscars,” but “the Academy is exploring more modern ways to bring the awards to a broader audience.” Disney’s own shift toward streaming services, with ABC and its sister networks moving into Disney+ and Hulu, mirrors the Oscars’ move.

The YouTube Deal: How It Works

While the exact terms of the new arrangement have yet to be fully disclosed, EW reports that the Academy will partner with YouTube to stream the ceremony free‑of‑charge on the platform. In practice this means:

1. Live Broadcast on YouTube Live – The full Oscars ceremony will be streamed in real time, with the standard set of live video quality options (360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K, if bandwidth allows).

2. Multiple Angles and Interactive Features – YouTube’s multi‑camera setup will let viewers switch between camera feeds, giving them a more immersive experience. The platform also supports live chat, enabling audience engagement during the broadcast.

3. Regional Restrictions and International Viewership – While the U.S. stream will be free, the Academy may retain the ability to sell pay‑per‑view tickets in markets where the broadcast is blocked, or to partner with local broadcasters for a hybrid model. YouTube’s global reach ensures that the ceremony can be watched by fans worldwide in real time.

4. Reduced Production Costs – EW notes that YouTube’s streaming infrastructure removes the need for a costly satellite uplink and the expensive “broadcast rights” fee the Academy historically paid to ABC. A preliminary estimate suggests savings of roughly $30 million per year—money that the Academy can redirect to other initiatives, such as improving the awards process or supporting emerging filmmakers.

Why EW Thinks It’s “Good”

The article frames the shift as a positive for several key reasons:

1. Reaching Younger Viewers

A 2023 study from Nielsen found that 18‑34‑year‑olds were increasingly turning to streaming platforms for live events, and that YouTube has an average of 2 billion daily active users—twice the number of ABC’s average weekly viewers. By hosting the Oscars on YouTube, the Academy can tap into an audience that is otherwise hard to capture on linear television.

2. Interactive Experience

Unlike traditional broadcasts, YouTube allows viewers to comment in real time, vote on “fan awards” (e.g., best selfie moments), or request behind‑the‑scenes content. EW points out that this level of interactivity can deepen engagement and make the ceremony feel more community‑driven.

3. Cost Efficiency and Revenue Flexibility

Moving away from a $30‑$35 million license fee for ABC not only cuts costs but also grants the Academy more control over monetization. For instance, the Academy could offer premium “gold‑ticket” experiences—exclusive backstage footage or post‑ceremony interviews—directly on YouTube. The article quotes Academy President David C. Stern: “This arrangement gives us the agility to innovate with the ceremony’s monetization model.”

4. Aligning with Industry Trends

EW cites that streaming has become the default platform for major live events—think the Super Bowl’s partnership with YouTube’s “Super Bowl 2024” event (an example of a major NFL game that was streamed on YouTube as a cost‑effective alternative to cable). Hollywood is moving away from linear television for festivals, premieres, and award shows; the Oscars joining YouTube is part of that broader shift.

Anticipated Challenges and Criticisms

EW also notes that the transition isn’t without risks. Critics worry that a free, online broadcast could reduce sponsorship revenue: advertisers on ABC were paid a premium to place ads during the ceremony, whereas YouTube’s ad model (based on CPM) is different and can be less lucrative. However, the Academy has indicated that the savings from reduced production costs may offset any potential dip in ad revenue.

Another concern is the “watch‑to‑pay” model: some fans may be reluctant to watch a “free” event when they’re used to paying for premium cable experiences. The article points out that the Academy will likely continue to offer premium “gold‑ticket” packages—exclusive red‑carpet access, after‑party streaming, and limited‑edition memorabilia—to keep top-tier audiences engaged.

Finally, EW acknowledges the technical hurdle of ensuring reliable streaming across varying bandwidths. The Academy has announced that it will partner with YouTube’s tech team to guarantee smooth playback and minimize buffering during the live event—a move the article describes as “critical for maintaining audience trust.”

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Television

The Oscars moving to YouTube is a landmark moment in the ongoing evolution of televised events. It signals a shift away from legacy networks toward platforms that can reach audiences wherever they are. EW concludes that the decision reflects a broader industry trend: as streaming giants like Disney+, Netflix, and HBO Max capture more market share, traditional broadcasters must adapt or risk obsolescence.

By leveraging YouTube’s vast reach, multi‑angle interactivity, and cost‑effective infrastructure, the Oscars can revitalize its brand, attract younger viewers, and maintain its place as the pinnacle of film recognition. According to EW, “If the Oscars can be the first major award show to fully embrace a free, online format, it sets a precedent that could reshape how we experience live events across the entertainment spectrum.”