Academy Awards shift to YouTube points to a new era for the Oscars

The 98th Academy Awards highlighted change, with Sinners setting a record for most nominations, and the Academy signing a five-year exclusive streaming deal with YouTube that begins in 2029.

The Oscars are showing clear signs of change at the 98th ceremony, where Sinners set a new record for nominations. The Academy has agreed to a five-year exclusive streaming deal with YouTube that begins in 2029. ABC will continue to broadcast the show through the 100th ceremony in 2028. Commentators have noted that the move reflects broader shifts in how audiences access live events. Key facts: - Sinners set a record for the most nominations at the 98th Academy Awards. - The Academy signed a five-year exclusive streaming deal with YouTube, reported to begin in 2029, while ABC will air the ceremony through 2028. - YouTube acquired rights that include red carpet coverage and related programming, and the agreement is reported as planned to be simulcast in multiple languages. - The Academy has increased recognition of international films and is expanding award categories, trends linked in reporting to earlier diversity reforms. Summary: The YouTube agreement marks a notable platform shift for the Oscars and may broaden where and how viewers watch the ceremony. The move reduces the role of traditional broadcast television in hosting the event after 2028. The next major change is the planned exclusive streaming on YouTube beginning in 2029.