YouTube Mulls Bid to Stream the Oscars After 2028

YouTube is reportedly considering a bid to acquire rights to the Oscars after the current broadcast agreement with ABC concludes in 2028. The platform has inquired about hosting and streaming the awards ceremony as part of its push into live event programming. Other companies, including Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and NBCUniversal, are also expected to compete for the rights. The move comes amid declining traditional TV ratings for the awards show.

YouTube is reportedly considering a bid to acquire the rights to host the Oscars following the expiration of its current broadcast agreement with ABC in 2028. The platform has expressed interest in streaming the awards ceremony as part of its expanding live event programming strategy [1].

The move comes amidst a broader trend of declining traditional TV ratings for the Oscars. YouTube's massive viewership and global reach could potentially inject new life into the show, which has been struggling with a broad ratings decline [1]. However, the streaming giant faces stiff competition from other major players in the entertainment industry, including Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and NBCUniversal [1].

While YouTube's bid is seen as a significant development, some industry experts remain skeptical about the platform's seriousness. They argue that YouTube's lack of original film production and its history of controversy over user-generated content (UGC) could be a barrier to securing the Oscars broadcast rights [1]. Additionally, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences is still in the middle of negotiations, and the show will air on ABC through at least 2028 [1].

The shift to streaming platforms for major events like the Oscars is part of a broader trend in the media industry. Traditional broadcasters and studios are facing increased competition from tech giants that already have the eyeballs and distribution power. The Oscars, once a symbol of television supremacy, could become a symbol of the new world order in attention economics [2].

As the competition for the Oscars broadcast rights heats up, investors and financial professionals should closely monitor the developments. The outcome of this bidding war could have significant implications for the future of live event programming and the broader media landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/youtube-plotting-oscars-bid-6507532/
[2] https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/los-angeles-olympics-2028-venue-naming-rights-comcast-honda-latest-news-updates/article69933510.ece