YouTube is rolling out the red carpet for the Oscars.
The Academy Awards—which have aired on ABC since 1976—will be moving over to the streaming platform starting in 2029, just one year after the ceremony’s 100th anniversary. In the landmark deal, YouTube outbid all other offers, allowing the Oscars ceremony to stream on the platform through 2033.
“Film’s biggest night is headed to @YouTube,” The Academy shared on social media Dec. 17 alongside an image that depicts an Oscar award next to the YouTube logo, “starting 2029.”
But the big move won’t start right away. Indeed, ABC will retain the rights to the world’s most watched awards telecast through 2028, which marks the 100th edition of the iconic ceremony. After that, the Oscars will be available for free on YouTube for viewers around the globe.
“The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said in a statement, per Deadline. “Partnering with the Academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”
And that’s not all. To mark the momentous move, the platform—owned by Google—will also broadcast related content, including pre-show red carpet coverage and exclusive behind-the-scenes in-show content. Additionally, YouTube is set to stream the Oscar nominations announcement, the Governors Awards (where the Academy presents honorary Oscars), the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, and more.
Though ABC has had a long-standing agreement with the awards show, it seems that The Academy couldn’t be happier about the new partnership.
“We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,” added Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community.”
And in this new era for the Oscars, it seems accessibility was the selling point.
“This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy,” the statement continued. “We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”
For more huge surprises in Oscars history, keep reading…
Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock
The Hitch star shocked viewers everywhere at the 2022 Oscars when he slapped Chris Rock for making a dig about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair, issuing a stern warning after returning to his seat: "Keep my wife's name out your f--king mouth!"
And though Will would later return to the stage to collect an Academy Award for his role in King Richard—and offered up an apology to the comedian the following day—the Academy issued him a 10-year ban from all their events for the debacle.
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's Chemistry Sets the Oscars on Fire
The stars of A Star Is Born unforgettably took the stage to perform the Oscar-nominated (and ultimately winning) "Shallow," though it was their chemistry that had people speculating for days after. "Yes, people saw love and—guess what—that's what we wanted you to see," Lady Gaga told Jimmy Kimmel, setting the record straight once and for all. "I guess we did a good job and fooled ya!"
Kevin Hart Backs Out of Hosting
To host or not to host: That is the question. On Dec. 4, Kevin Hart announced on Twitter that he would be hosting the 2019 show. He called it the "opportunity of a lifetime" and that he was "blown away" by the honors. Two days later, he stepped down as the host after facing backlash over resurfaced tweets from 2011. "I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscars....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists," he tweeted in December 2018. "I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past." Despite pleas from Ellen DeGeneres, Hart said on Jan. 4 that his mind was made and the decision was "done."
La La Land Is Accidentally Named Best Picture in Epic Flub
After La La Land was pronounced the Best Picture winner at the 2017 Oscars, producer Jordan Horowitz revealed that Moonlight was the actual winner—making the incident one of the most memorable in Oscar history.
John Travolta Mispronounces Idina Menzel's Name
John Travolta suffered a bit of a malapropism while introducing Frozen's Idina Menzel to the stage at the 2014 Oscars. Instead of saying her actual name, he called her Adele Dazeem. Oops? The duo reunited a year later and she reciprocated the honors by naming him Glom Gazingo.
Jennifer Lawrence Falls After Winning Best Actress
While taking the stage to accept the award for Best Actress at the 2013 Oscars, the Silver Linings Playbook star stumbled and fell to the ground.
Crash Wins Best Picture Over Brokeback Mountain
With eight nominations, Brokeback Mountain was expected to take home the big prize at the 2006 Academy Awards. So, viewers were surprised when Paul Haggis took the stage to accept the Best Picture Oscar for Crash. Even Haggis later said the drama didn't deserve Best Picture.
Adrien Brody Shockingly Kisses Halle Berry
After he won the Oscar for Best Actor at the 2003 Annual Academy Awards, Brody was so overcome with emotion that he planted a giant kiss on presenter Berry.
Björk Wears Swan Dress on the Red Carpet
Björk's 2001 dress is one of the most memorable in Oscars history. The Icelandic singer-songwriter wore a dress that looked like a swan by Marjan Pejoski.
The Oscars Selfie Seen Around the World
Handing her phone to Bradley Cooper to do the now-infamous honors of taking a star-studded selfie at the 2014 Oscars, Ellen Degeneres got Jennifer Lawrence, Jared Leto, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Lupita Nyong'o and more to pose for one epic pic.
Angelina Jolie Kisses Her Brother
Angelina Jolie planted a giant peck on her brother James Haven's lips at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2000. The actress won the Best Supporting Actress award for Girl, Interrupted earlier in the night and said she was "so in love" with her brother during her acceptance speech. Saturday Night Live even joked about the moment on its show.
Shakespeare in Love Wins Over Saving Private Ryan
Shakespeare in Love entered the 1999 Academy Awards with 13 nominations while Saving Private Ryan went in with 11. Still, many were surprised when Shakespeare in Love ended up being the big winner.
Cher Wears a Headdress
The singer caught everyone's attention when she showed up to the 1986 Academy Awards in this now-unforgettable Bob Mackie ensemble.
Streaker Storms the Stage
Host David Niven got a bit of a shock after a streaker ran across the stage at the 1974 Academy Awards.
Charlie Chaplin Receives 12-Minute Standing Ovation
While the idea of Charlie Chaplin receiving a standing ovation isn't surprising, the duration of the round of applause is. After he returned to the U.S. for the first time in over a decade to receive an honorary Oscar at the 1972 awards, the comedy legend reportedly received a 12-minute standing ovation.
Marlon Brando Refuses to Accept Best Actor Award
Sacheen Littlefeather, who attended the 1973 ceremony on Brando's behalf, announced that the Godfather star "very regretfully" could not accept the award in protest of the film industry's treatment of Native Americans.
Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn Both Win Best Actress
In 1969, there were not one but two Best Actress winners: Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand. While Hepburn wasn't there to accept her award, Streisand said she was "very honored to be in such magnificent company as Katharine Hepburn."
Sammy Davis Jr. Announces the Wrong Winner
The 2017 Best Picture mishap isn't the only Oscar mixup. Sammy Davis Jr. received the wrong envelope and read the incorrect name for the winner of Scoring of Music (adaptation or treatment) at the 36th Academy Awards in 1964. "Wait 'til the NAACP hears about this," he said. He then put on his glasses and joked, "I ain't gonna make no mistake this time."