Remember that electric hum in the air during the 1998 Oscars, when Titanic swept everything and half the planet tuned in? Yeah, me too. I was glued to the screen in my cramped New York apartment, popcorn spilling everywhere, dreaming of James Cameron’s epic as the pinnacle of blockbuster glory. Fast forward to now—2025—and the Oscars feel… distant. Ratings have tanked, down over 60% from those glory days, halved in just the last decade. People aren’t parking themselves for three-plus hours anymore; they’re scrolling YouTube for the best bits the morning after. And now, whisper it, YouTube itself wants in. Wants the whole thing.
It’s not some fever dream. Bloomberg dropped the bomb: the Google-owned giant has reached out about snagging the broadcast rights once ABC’s deal wraps in 2028. Netflix too, that streaming behemoth, circling like a shark sensing blood. ABC’s held this golden goose for nearly half a century, but negotiations stalled last year over a proposed $100 million-plus annual payout. The Academy wants more cash; Disney’s eyeing those lackluster viewership numbers and hesitating. Enter the disruptors. NBC and CBS are sniffing around, sure—traditional networks playing it safe. But YouTube? Netflix? That’s the jolt Hollywood needs… or fears.
Think about it. YouTube’s the undisputed king of video, billions logging in daily for everything from cat memes to deep-dive film analyses. I’ve lost hours there myself, dissecting horror remakes like the latest Nosferatu teaser or sci-fi Easter eggs in Marvel drops. If they land the Oscars, imagine the shift: no more clunky network interruptions, just seamless streaming, maybe interactive polls mid-show—”Vote now: Best Picture snub?” Or horror fans finally getting a spotlight, with clips tying into genre festivals like Fantastic Fest or Sitges. It’s chaotic potential—gorgeous, grating, gorgeous again. The Academy’s chasing eyeballs, and these platforms deliver global audiences no broadcaster can touch. But would it dilute the prestige? Turn the red carpet into a TikTok frenzy?
Behind the scenes, it’s messy. Sources say talks are early, nothing sealed. ABC isn’t rolling over; they’ve nurtured this event through ups and downs, from Billy Crystal’s charm to that infamous slap. Yet, with viewership crumbling—folks tuning out for highlights on, yep, YouTube—the Academy’s weighing options. A move to streaming could reinvent the night, pulling in younger crowds who’ve grown up on comic-book cinema and cult hits. I’ve covered enough TIFF and Sundance panels to know: filmmakers in sci-fi and horror crave that mainstream nod, but Oscars often sideline them. Streaming might bridge that—more inclusive, less stuffy. Or it could flop, another experiment in a town full of failed reboots.
Still, the cynicism creeps in. Hollywood’s all about the money, right? AMPAS pushing for bigger bucks while ratings slide—ironic, isn’t it? We’ve seen Netflix muscle into awards with films like The Irishman, but broadcasting the Oscars? That’s next-level. YouTube’s push feels even wilder, like inviting the fan theories and reaction videos right into the ceremony. Loved the idea. Hated the execution potential. Intrigued, though. Everyone’s sweating this one—was it pitched during a heatwave boardroom session?
Anyway. Where were we? Oh yeah—the uncertainty. It’s far from done; multiple bidders in play, contract solid till 2028. But if it happens, shockwaves. Pure, industry-rattling shockwaves.
For more on this brewing drama, check out Deadline’s scoop here or Collider’s take here.
The Ratings Collapse
Viewership’s plummeted more than 60% since the late ’90s peak, now half what it was a decade back—folks ditching the full broadcast for quick YouTube clips instead.
Streaming Suitors Emerge
YouTube and Netflix have both inquired about rights, per Bloomberg, eyeing a post-2028 takeover that could globalize the event like never before.
ABC’s Long Reign
Nearly 50 years on ABC, but stalled talks last year over a $100M+ deal have opened the door—Disney’s wary amid those dipping numbers.
Not a Done Deal
Bids from NBC and CBS too, but the Academy’s still weighing; nothing’s set till after 2028.
Potential Hollywood Shake-Up
A win for YouTube could mean interactive, fan-driven Oscars—thrilling for genre lovers, terrifying for purists.
What do you think—would you stream the Oscars on YouTube, or stick to tradition? Drop your takes below; let’s dissect this like a director’s cut.
