YouTube Could Save The Oscars, Actually

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The Oscars are heading for a big shift in 2029. For nearly 50 years, the Academy Awards have been broadcast only on ABC, and the network is preparing to host the show’s 100th anniversary in 2028. However, in a surprising move, YouTube will become the official streaming home of the Oscars starting in 2029, with the deal lasting through at least 2033.

This new development has sparked a lot of disagreement. The Oscars are a Hollywood institution with a rich history, so changes to the show usually face resistance. People are especially unhappy with decisions that seem to diminish the event, like presenting some awards before the live broadcast or shortening musical numbers and highlight reels.

Honestly, with the Oscars ratings being down lately, all the bad press hasn’t exactly helped things. At first, when I heard about the deal with YouTube, I thought, ‘Oh great, another change that’s ruining a classic!’ But you know what? I’m starting to think it might actually be a good thing. Maybe this is exactly what the Oscars needs to shake things up and reach a new audience.

The Oscars Can Be So Much Bigger & Have More Freedom With YouTube

I’m really excited about the Oscars teaming up with YouTube! Not only will we get to watch the ceremony for free right on the platform, but they’re also creating an Oscars YouTube channel that will give us a behind-the-scenes look at everything leading up to the big night. It feels like we’ll be much more connected to the whole experience this year.

This will open up access to events like the Governors Awards, the Oscar nominations reveal, and the Nominees Luncheon, as well as programs like the Student and Scientific & Technical Awards. It will also include interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, film education resources, and podcasts. Currently, this content isn’t available to those outside the Academy, but making it public could significantly enhance conversations about the Oscars.

The Oscars ceremony itself could be much better. In the past, ABC and the Academy often worried about the show running too long, leading them to try and shorten it. Now, with YouTube as the platform, there’s no need to rush things – acceptance speeches won’t be cut short, every winner will be announced, and all musical performances can be shown. YouTube should allow the Oscars to be fuller and more complete, not restrict it.

Following the recent addition of the Best Stunts category in 2028, we could introduce even more awards, such as Best Breakout Performance, Best First Feature, or Best Motion-Capture Performance. This could also allow studios to finally share trailers for upcoming movies during the awards show – a popular idea to boost ratings.

Things are looking up, especially now that YouTube is involved. Viewership dropped significantly when ABC broadcast the event, hitting a low of 10.4 million in 2021. While the 2025 ceremony saw a jump to almost 20 million viewers, it’s still difficult for many people to watch on ABC.

With 2 billion users, YouTube could significantly increase the Oscars’ audience in 2029, especially with a strong promotional campaign. I expect the 2029 Oscars to have some of its best viewership in years, which would generate positive press about YouTube revitalizing the awards show.

There’s a risk that the deal with YouTube could negatively change the Oscars, potentially turning them into something unrecognizable. However, that doesn’t seem likely at the moment. This partnership could actually usher in a fantastic new period for the Academy Awards, establishing them as a truly worldwide celebration of great movies for many years to come.

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2025-12-18 20:58