For decades, the Academy Awards were a prime-time juggernaut. But as TV viewership continues its freefall and streaming giants scoop up everything from NFL rights to blockbuster premieres, a question looms: Are the Oscars next?
That possibility just got a lot more real.
According toBloomberg, YouTube has officially inquired about acquiring the rights to stream the Oscars afterABC’s current deal expires in 2028.It’s a move that would shatter precedent—and potentially rebrandHollywood’s most prestigious night as a digital-first, creator-forward event.
YouTube has asked about buying the rights to The Oscars.
(Source: https://t.co/QfN8cLMeMJ) pic.twitter.com/c5r1Igvwsv
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 17, 2025
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that its exclusive negotiation window with ABC ended this spring, prompting a wide-open bidding war that includes traditional players like Comcast, Paramount, and Disney, as well as streamers like Netflix and Amazon. ButYouTube’s entry into the race may be the most consequential.
“I am confident that our next deal for the Oscars will be very lucrative,”AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer toldDeadline in 2024, while still calling Disney-ABC an “amazing partner”.
While YouTube has historically been a platform for DIY creators and viral moments, the last few years have seen it aggressively pursue premium live content. From its acquisition of NFL Sunday Ticket to racking up record viewership during TaylorSwift’s appearance on Travis and JasonKelce’s New Heights podcast, YouTube is building the infrastructure—and audience—for major live events.
If YouTube secured the Oscars, it would bring the show directly to billions of users, many of whom no longer watch traditional TV. It could also drastically shift the way awards shows are produced and consumed. Would we see creators like MrBeast or Emma Chamberlain on the red carpet next to Oscar nominees? Would Gen Z tune in if their favorite streamer hosted the pre-show?
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This potential partnership could also signal something bigger: the merging of the creator economy andHollywood’s legacy gatekeepers. YouTube already houses some of the most-watched entertainment content in the world. Pair that with theOscars’ brand recognition,and it’s a match that could either revolutionize the show—or polarize purists.
There’s also strategic interest. As YouTube ventures into original film production, hosting the Oscars could legitimize its efforts and attract top talent. The platform might not yet be a full-fledged movie studio, but securing the most-watched awards show in the industry could help it lure filmmakers, actors, and prestige projects.
Still, this is far from a done deal. ABC has hosted the Oscars since 1976 and is likely to fight hard to keep it. And with Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast also vying for the rights, the Academy will have plenty of options. ButYouTube’s bid is arguably the most culturally transformative.
“It would bevery loud, which is the whole point,”wrote Lucas Shaw inBloomberg’s Screentime newsletter. “Shifting the program to YouTube would generate a lot of attention for a show that has been losing relevance each year.”