YouTube Snatches The Oscars From Disney After 50 Years on ABC

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In 2029, the Oscars will be streamed on YouTube, marking a significant change. For nearly 50 years, ABC has been the traditional broadcaster of the Academy Awards, starting in 1976.

Although it might appear to be a setback for Disney, Deadline reported that the Academy Awards’ financial expectations and YouTube’s offer weren’t a good fit for Disney. The report also noted that Disney has struggled with the Oscars because the kinds of movies that typically win aren’t usually the network’s focus.

For the first time in over 70 years, the Oscars won’t be shown on traditional television. This is a historic shift, as the ceremony hasn’t been off network TV since 1953, and hasn’t been available on public airwaves since a local radio broadcast in 1930.

Similar to how radio was replaced by television, traditional TV is now being overtaken by streaming services.

Changing with the Times

YouTube will be the only place to watch the Oscars worldwide for the next ten years, through 2033. It’s hard to predict what the entertainment landscape will be like by then, considering how quickly technology is evolving and how people’s preferences are changing.

Switching to YouTube gives the Academy more freedom to shape the Oscars however they like, without the usual constraints of traditional television. For example, one source told Variety that a popular creator like MrBeast could potentially host a six-hour-long ceremony.

Okay, so the Oscars are hitting YouTube this year, which is fantastic news for those of us who don’t have traditional TV access! Not only will we be able to watch the 101st Academy Awards, but YouTube is also promising a full experience – think red carpet glamour, a peek behind the scenes, and even coverage of the Governors Ball. Now, don’t get too excited – apparently, we’ll still be seeing commercials during the broadcast. But overall, it sounds like a pretty comprehensive offering!

The Academy and YouTube are partnering up to bring the Oscars and other Academy events to a wider audience. According to Bill Kramer, the Academy’s CEO, and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor, this collaboration will combine the Academy’s history with new and creative ways to connect with viewers through YouTube’s platform.

I think the Academy is doing more than just taking the money, honestly. It feels like they’re genuinely trying to stay current and relevant with how things are changing.

Industry Reactions

Sasha Stone, writing for the early Oscars news site Awards Daily, believes traditional network television is failing. She argues that Google offers a more accessible platform than streaming services like Netflix because it doesn’t require a paid subscription, giving more control to viewers.

She also pointed out that moving the Oscars to YouTube will reach a wider audience, but it means losing some of the event’s established identity. She added that the prestige traditionally associated with broadcasting on major television networks has unfortunately disappeared.

Many people in the entertainment industry are questioning whether the Oscars still hold significant prestige and influence. Gary Buechler, who hosts the Nerdrotic YouTube channel, jokingly commented that buying the rights to a declining awards show was a clever move.

YouTube wins the rights to a dying award show.
That’s some forward thinking.

— Nerdrotic (@Nerdrotics) December 17, 2025

Sources at Variety report that YouTube spent over $100 million to secure the rights to broadcast the Oscars, significantly more than Disney was prepared to pay. Disney was reportedly surprised by YouTube’s win, and many in the industry believed that if Disney had dropped the broadcast, either NBCUniversal or Netflix would have picked it up.

Because so many people around the world can easily access YouTube, it could be the perfect place to showcase Hollywood’s most prestigious event.

How do you feel about the Oscars going to YouTube? Sound off in the comments!

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2025-12-18 16:00