The Oscars are on the move.
YouTube has won the rights to host the Academy Awards starting in 2029.
The Google-owned service outbid other offers, including one from longtime ABC, which has been hosting the event since 1976. Disney’s deal runs through 2028.
YouTube’s first show will be the 101st Oscars ceremony and its deal will run through 2033.
It is a major move for YouTube and marks a major shift in the streaming battles; Netflix has the SAG Awards.
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” said Neal Mohan, CEO, YouTube. “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.”
While it’s a blow for ABC, Deadline understands that the amount of money that the Academy was looking for and the amount that YouTube was willing to pay, didn’t make sense for Disney, which has modernized the event but has faced challenges given the nature of the types of films that generally make up the Oscar winners.
“ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century. We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success,” and ABC Entertainment spokeswoman said.
“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,” added Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy is an international organization, 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 honoring 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.”
