YouTube Wins Oscar Rights From Disney in Streaming Power Play

YouTube Secures Oscar Rights From 2029

Alphabet's YouTube has secured the rights to host the Academy Awards from 2029 through 2033, marking a significant blow to traditional broadcast media. The deal moves one of television's most prestigious annual events away from Disney's ABC network, its home since the 1970s. For ABC, the loss is substantial; the awards ceremony was a key ratings driver, attracting 19.7 million viewers in 2025, its highest viewership in five years. The new arrangement will make the Oscars, red carpet coverage, and other content available for free on YouTube and to YouTube TV subscribers in the U.S.

Streaming Dominance Grows as Broadcast TV Fades

The Academy's decision reflects a fundamental shift in media consumption. According to Nielsen data from November, streaming services now represent 46.7% of all television watch-time, decisively overtaking both broadcast (23.2%) and cable (20.5%). Within the streaming ecosystem, YouTube has consistently held the top spot in viewership. By acquiring the Oscars, YouTube not only strengthens its content library but also accelerates the migration of major cultural events from legacy television to its dominant global platform.