NBCUniversal,YouTube,and ABC Compete for Future of the Academy Awards Broadcast Rights
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is currently in negotiations with several potential broadcast partners for the rights to the Oscars telecast,with NBCUniversal emerging as a leading contender. The current deal with ABC is nearing its end, perhaps concluding a 50-year consecutive run by 2028.
ABC has been the consistent network partner for the Oscars since 1976, following earlier runs from 1961-1970 and 1953. However, sources close to the negotiations indicate ABC is viewed as “less aggressive” in its pursuit of a new deal. Despite this perception, an ABC insider maintains the network is heavily invested in its relationship with the Academy, highlighting the value of Disney’s corporate synergy – including promotion across theme parks, cruises, and programming on ABC and Hulu – as a notable asset. They also assert that the recent agreement to broadcast the Grammys across Disney’s platforms does not diminish their commitment to the Oscars.
NBCUniversal is actively pursuing the rights, building on a history with the telecast that includes broadcasting it on both television and radio in 1953, and again from 1971-1975.
YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, is also a significant bidder. Nielsen data shows YouTube has become the most-connected TV app in both the U.S. and internationally over the past two years.Notably,viewership of clips and speeches from past Academy Awards broadcasts on YouTube surpasses the live event’s viewership on conventional broadcast partners. However, the Academy would likely demand a substantial premium for an exclusive digital deal, and industry insiders suggest potential resistance from filmmakers and talent concerned about celebrating cinema on a platform owned by a major tech company. Concerns have also been raised about the juxtaposition of the Oscars with other content on YouTube, with one source questioning whether the ceremony would be followed by content like the popular children’s program, Ms. Rachel.
Financial details remain fluid, with some discussions not yet resulting in concrete financial requests. Sources indicate ABC currently spends approximately $120 million annually on the Oscars, encompassing rights fees, production costs, and institutional support. This figure is considered substantial, particularly given the overall decline in ratings for awards shows in the streaming era. While this year’s telecast, hosted by Conan O’Brien, achieved a five-year high of 19.69 million viewers across ABC and Hulu, it remains significantly lower then the nearly 40 million viewers who tuned in a decade ago.
All parties involved – NBCUniversal, ABC, and YouTube – reportedly share a common stance: “We’re not overpaying.”
