Academy chief says Oscars YouTube move from 2029 is no gamble
The Oscars are leaving broadcast television for YouTube in 2029, and the Academy's chief executive says staying put would have been the bigger gamble. Bill Kramer, who leads the organisation behind the awards, told the Zurich Film Festival Summit on Saturday that the switch is "not risky" and "almost feels risky not to do it", as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The context is a long run on traditional television. The Oscars have aired on ABC in the United States since 1976. Kramer said Disney, which owns ABC, has been "an amazing partner" and will continue to be for the next two years before the YouTube deal starts with the 101st Oscars in 2029.
Why make the jump? Kramer pointed to the audience outside America. He said more people outside the US watch the Oscars than inside the country. On YouTube the ceremony will stream free around the world, translated into 30 different languages.
That global reach sits at the heart of the Academy's pitch. The YouTube pact is a multi-year agreement for exclusive global rights, which means only YouTube will carry the show worldwide, according to the Academy. Kramer said the Academy is already in deep discussions with YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan and his team on how it will work.
Money remains central to the decision. The ceremony generated US$150 million in revenue for the Academy from 2024 to 2025, with the vast majority coming through the television rights deal with Disney, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Asked in Zurich whether the YouTube agreement was lucrative, Kramer kept it brief. It "was a good deal", he said.
The YouTube package stretches well past one night. It includes the red carpet pre-show, behind-the-scenes material, the nominations announcement, the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards and the Scientific and Technical Awards. Member and film-maker interviews, education programmes and podcasts are also part of the deal.
Kramer spoke in a session titled "The Theatrical Box Office Resurgence! How to Get Audiences' Attention in the Era of Social Media and Online Platforms?" He appeared alongside creator Kane Parsons, Mattel Films president Robbie Brenner and Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker. The summit ran from 25 to 27 September at The Dolder Grand as part of the Zurich Film Festival.
What makes this stand out is access. For fans, this means no channel number to remember and no pay-TV package to need. Open YouTube and watch free.
