YouTube in Talks to Stream the Oscars

YouTube is reportedly in active talks to acquire the broadcast and streaming rights for The Academy Awards, potentially ending ABC’s nearly five-decade monopoly on the Oscars. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that YouTube has approached the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about stepping in as their next platform. 

ABC’s current contract runs through 2028, meaning that YouTube, if successful, could take over after that. The network formerly had an exclusive negotiation window, which has now lapsed, opening the door to new bidders.

This would mark a tectonic shift in how Oscars content is delivered—from traditional television to digital streaming on a global scale. YouTube’s interest signals Hollywood’s broader transition toward modern, engaged viewership models. 

YouTube has already made moves into major live event broadcasting, most notably with the NFL Sunday Ticket, positioning itself as a force in high-profile streaming events. 

The Oscars face declining traditional viewership, particularly among younger audiences. Streaming the awards on YouTube might revitalize engagement by adding interactivity and broadening access. 

Challenges remain, including preserving the prestige associated with the broadcast and navigating advertiser expectations. Adapting such a high-profile Hollywood event to a user-driven streaming environment poses technological and cultural considerations.

Still, the move could reshape one of the industry's most watched events and align the ceremony with evolving consumption habits.