In a town filled with a lot of drama, the Oscars moving to YouTube is quite the plot twist for Hollywood’s biggest night. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a multi-year deal Wednesday that shifts the telecast to YouTube beginning in 2029. ABC will keep the show through 2028 – the 100th anniversary of the awards. Talk about taking a final bow, that’s a show not many are gonna miss.
The Academy’s press release says YouTube gets exclusive global rights from 2029 through 2033. The Oscars will stream live and free on YouTube worldwide, and it will also be available to YouTube TV subscribers in the U.S.
This is not just about the telecast. The Academy says the partnership includes red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and Governors Ball access. It also folds in other Academy programming on the Oscars YouTube channel, including the Governors Awards, the nominations announcement, the nominees luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards.
A lot of people (ok, mostly us gay boys) usually turn it into a night. The Abbey usually throws a pretty good party. If it’s on YouTube and it’s free, that lowers the barrier for every place with a screen. Any bar can throw it on and make it an event for the night. And if YouTube starts pumping out constant backstage clips, quick interviews, and weird little moments, that’s the kind of content people actually react to in real time, which will likely boost the brand. It’ll also play way better than another long (and usually snoring) acceptance speech.
That said, it’s usually the movies, not the network, that drive interest in the show. Hollywood, here’s looking at you, kid.
The industry is in real trouble. LA is no the longer the entertainment capital…..and The Oscars draw fewer viewers every year.
Interesting but the way I read this is it’s ONLY available to YouTube TV subscribers in the U.S. Outside of the U.S. it’ll be free. We shall see.