The Oscars Are Moving to YouTube—Is a New Era for Award Shows Upon Us?

Back in the early 2000s, classrooms, cafeterias and hallways buzzed with predictions about who was going to win that year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. I remember sitting on the long lunchroom bench, chugging chocolate milk and shoveling mashed potatoes between us, and arguing over which of our favorite nominees deserved to win. That evening, I would sprint to and from the bathroom during commercial breaks because I didn’t want to miss a single minute of the live awards show.

As we got older, our interests evolved. We transitioned from watching our favorite celebrities get slimed to developing more refined tastes, appreciating the creativity and artistry of musicians through MTV’s Video Music Awards. Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress will forever remain iconic.

Award shows grew up with us, and as kids and teenagers, we also noticed how invested our parents and teachers were in them. After church, I remember my mom chatting with the deacons and secretaries, asking whether they planned to watch the Oscars later that night and sharing who they thought would win. Once we got home, my mom would settle in on the couch after making sure dinner was taken care of and tune in to the Oscars. During commercial breaks, she would call my aunts, reacting in disbelief to surprise wins, folding laundry or finishing up chores and staying close to the TV, making sure not to miss a minute of the live show.

The day after, I would also hear teachers at school talk about the awards show, just like how we did as kids. This made me realize that award shows like the Oscars bring people together, and the anticipation of not wanting to miss a minute of the live show and talking about the results the next day made the experience even more fun. 

However, the way we view the award show will look a little different, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing that the Oscars will stream on YouTube starting in 2029. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that YouTube signed a multi-year deal for the exclusive global rights to the Oscars. This deal will run through 2033. 

ABC has been airing the Oscars and owning the rights since 1976, and will continue to air them until 2028. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan is excited about this new change, saying in a statement: “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry. 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 full awards show line-up, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content and Governors Ball, will be available live and free on YouTube. Sources also say there will be commercials during the Oscars on YouTube, and key players of the agreement hope the move to YouTube “will help make the Oscars more accessible to the growing global audience through features such as closed captioning and audio tracks available in multiple languages.”

Millions globally watch the Oscars with broadcasts reaching more than 200 countries. So, the move to a more accessible platform to reach a wider audience is a smart business move for international fans. The move also aligns with a growing shift away from traditional cable, as audiences increasingly turn to streaming platforms like YouTube and YouTube TV for live programming

Still, as a millennial, I can’t help but yearn for the nostalgic moment of rushing home, flipping through TV channels ten minutes early, and settling in for my favorite awards show. But as the way we watch entertainment continues to change, perhaps it only makes sense that our favorite award shows change with it.

Featured image credit: Jaguar PS via Shutterstock