YouTube Eyes Oscar Broadcast Rights After 2028: Streaming Ceremony Could Redefine Awards Season
YouTube Poised to Challenge ABC for Oscars Streaming Rights After 2028
In a bold potential shift for awards telecasts, YouTube is reportedly considering a bid to secure the streaming rights for the Academy Awards once ABC’s contract expires in 2028.
A Bloomberg report, echoed by Digital Trends, sheds light on why YouTube might be more than just a dark horse in the race:
It boasts 2.7 billion monthly active users, offering global reach unmatched by traditional TV .
YouTube could cultivate a younger, more diverse audience—a vital push given the Oscars’ struggle with shrinking TV viewership .
The platform’s capabilities for interactive features—think live chat, polls, influencer Q&As, and behind-the-scenes content—promise to modernize the viewing experience.
Yet, not everything comes without risk. Streaming the Oscars could alienate traditional broadcast audiences, especially older viewers who prefer conventional TV—and YouTube must be ready for the technical demands of a live global event .
This underscores a broader trend: entertainment is shifting to streaming, and the Oscars may soon follow, potentially partnering with Netflix, YouTube, or others to stay relevant in a digital-first era.