According to a recent Screen Rant article, YouTube is vying to host the Oscars starting in 2028, joining major networks and streaming platforms in the competition for the rights to this prestigious film event.
A complementary report by Primetimer, citing Bloomberg and Deadline, confirms that YouTube has inquired about buying the rights to broadcast the Academy Awards, though negotiations are in early stages and the platform hasn’t confirmed anything publicly yet.
The Legacy of the ABC–Oscars Partnership
Since 1953, the Oscars have only aired on two networks:
- NBC broadcast the ceremonies from 1953 to 1960, and again briefly from 1971–1975.
- ABC took over in 1961, briefly gave way to NBC in the early ’70s, but then resumed the rights in 1976—and has held them continuously ever since.
That’s nearly five decades of consistent association between the Academy Awards and ABC, firmly entrenching the event in traditional television territory.
A Shift Toward the Digital Future
YouTube’s interest underscores its larger strategy to expand into live-event streaming. The platform has already made notable moves in this space, such as securing the NFL Sunday Ticket rights and hosting Taylor Swift’s record-breaking livestream debut, which drew a peak of 1.3 million concurrent viewers.
This potential move signals a shift not just for YouTube, but for the landscape of live entertainment as a whole. Streaming giants are increasingly eyeing marquee live events as traditional TV viewership declines.
What’s at Stake for the Oscars and YouTube
If they succeed, YouTube could offer the Oscars interactive features, global streaming reach, and appeal to younger demographics, elements that traditional broadcasts struggle to match. From the Academy’s perspective, it’s about securing “diverse revenue streams”, as CEO Bill Kramer noted, referencing the longstanding deal with Disney–ABC and the need for a “very lucrative” next agreement.
Public Reaction: Divided and Vocal
On social media, fans and critics alike have voiced mixed feelings:
“The #Oscars may soon stream on #YouTube, and that’s huge. With TV ratings in decline, shifting to a digital-first platform means interactive features, global reach, and access to younger audiences.”
The Timeline and Next Steps
- ABC’s current contract with the Academy runs through 2028, and no change would take place before then.
- Bidders like YouTube (and possibly NBC) are assessing their options in anticipation of this contract’s expiration.
- The next Oscars ceremony, scheduled for March 2026, will still be aired on Disney–ABC .
And So
YouTube’s bid to become the Oscars’ new host represents potentially the biggest evolution in the awards show’s broadcast history, challenging ABC’s nearly half-century reign and embracing the dynamics of digital streaming. As live-event consumption continues to shift online, this move could reshape how audiences around the world experience Hollywood’s biggest night.
