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Academy CEO Bill Kramer Doubles Down on YouTube Move: “You’ll See a Very Different-Looking Oscars”
Academy CEO Bill Kramer has reaffirmed plans to move the Academy Awards to YouTube from 2029, describing the decision as forward-thinking rather than risky. The Oscars, which have been broadcast on ABC in the United States since 1976, will shift to YouTube's platform starting with the 101st Academy Awards ceremony. Kramer emphasised that this move allows the Academy to reach a global audience of film enthusiasts, with the broadcast available free in 30 different languages.
Kramer highlighted that the international audience for the Oscars now exceeds the domestic US viewership, and YouTube offers the Academy unprecedented control over fan engagement and interactive viewing capabilities. The deal encompasses not only the main ceremony—which generated $150 million in revenue for the Academy from 2024 to 2025—but also related programming including nominations announcements, red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and educational programmes. The move comes as the Oscars' television audience has declined, with the 2026 ceremony drawing 17.86 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, down approximately 9 per cent from the previous year's 19.69 million viewers.
In short
- Oscars moving to YouTube in 2029 for global reach with free access in 30 languages
- Declining TV viewership prompted pivot towards digital platform with greater engagement potential
- YouTube deal includes ceremony plus nominations, Governors Awards, interviews and educational content
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those supporting the move argue that the Oscars must reach audiences where they actually are. Since international viewership now exceeds domestic audiences and YouTube offers free access in 30 languages with superior interactive capabilities, the shift maximises both reach and engagement. Declining traditional broadcast viewership reflects changing media consumption, and the Academy's responsibility is to adapt to modern realities rather than cling to outdated distribution models.
The case against
Those opposing the move contend that prestige and cultural significance matter alongside viewership figures. Broadcasting on a major network has conferred legitimacy and weight for five decades; moving to YouTube risks diluting the Oscars' standing as cinema's premier global event. The shared appointment-television experience on a trusted broadcaster creates cultural resonance and gravitas that a digital platform cannot replicate, and abandoning a stable 50-year partnership should require stronger evidence of gain than theoretical advantages.
Explained simply
The Academy Awards, widely known as the Oscars, are the film industry's most prestigious annual awards ceremony. For the past 50 years, the Oscars have been broadcast on ABC television in the United States, making it one of the country's most-watched television events each year.
The Oscars' television viewership has been declining. The 2026 ceremony attracted 17.86 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, down from 19.69 million the previous year, prompting the Academy to seek a new home for the broadcast.
Starting in 2029, the Academy Awards will move to YouTube, where they will be streamed free globally in 30 languages. The Academy believes this will expand its reach, as international audiences now outnumber domestic viewers. The shift encompasses not just the main ceremony but also related programming such as nominations announcements and red carpet coverage.
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