In a bid to broaden the appeal of its flagship show, the Academy has struck an exclusive multi-year deal for YouTube to air the Oscars ceremony starting in 2029.
The deal kicks off with the 101st ceremony and runs through 2033. The Oscars, red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, Governors Ball access and other events will be available live and free to the platform’s 2bn-plus viewers around the world, and to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.
YouTube will use closed captioning and audio tracks available in multiple languages. The partnership will include worldwide access to other Academy events and programmes exclusively on the Oscars YouTube channel.
The packages will include the Governors Awards, the Oscars nominations announcement, the Oscars nominees lunch, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film education programmes, and podcasts.
The Google Arts & Culture initiative will help provide digital access to select Academy Museum exhibitions and programmes and help digitise elements of the Academy Collection.
“We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy is an international organisation, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community.
“This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honouring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” Neal Mohan, YouTube CEO, said. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
The Academy’s US broadcast partnership for the Oscars will continue with Disney’s ABC through the 100th Oscars in 2028, as will the international partnership with Buena Vista International.
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