Hollywood's most prestigious night is making a dramatic pivot to the internet. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday that the Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube in a multi-year deal starting in 2029, a move that will fundamentally alter how Kenyans and the world consume the iconic awards show.

This decision concludes a historic partnership with US broadcaster ABC, which will air its final ceremony with the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. For local filmmakers and movie lovers, this shift means the end of relying on traditional broadcast rights and the beginning of free, direct access to cinema's biggest stage right from their devices.

The deal, which runs through 2033, grants YouTube exclusive global rights not just to the main ceremony, but to the entire Oscars experience. This includes all the glamour of the red carpet, behind-the-scenes content, and other Academy events like the Governors Awards.

A Bid for Global Eyeballs

The Academy's leadership framed the decision as a strategic necessity to connect with a worldwide audience in an era of dwindling broadcast television viewership. "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," noted Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. While recent Oscars broadcasts reached around 20 million Americans, YouTube offers a potential audience of over two billion global users.

This move mirrors a larger trend of major cultural events migrating online. For context, while the Oscars' TV ratings have struggled, YouTube has cemented its dominance, even hosting major sporting events like the NFL. The new partnership aims to leverage this massive reach to inspire a new generation of filmmakers and movie fans globally.

What This Means for Kenyan Viewers

The shift to a free, global stream on YouTube has direct implications for the Kenyan audience. Here’s what changes:

• Free Access: Previously, viewing options depended on local broadcasters securing rights. From 2029, anyone with an internet connection can watch the official livestream.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The deal includes more than just the awards. Viewers will have access to the nominations announcement, filmmaker interviews, and other content year-round on the Oscars YouTube channel.
• Enhanced Features: YouTube plans to offer features like closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages, increasing accessibility.

While financial details of the deal were not disclosed, the move signifies a major bet on the future of digital streaming over traditional media revenue. It's a bold gambit that acknowledges that for many, especially younger audiences in Kenya and across Africa, the internet is their primary screen.

As YouTube CEO Neal Mohan emphasized, the goal is to bring the celebration to viewers "all over the world" while staying true to the Oscars' legacy. For Hollywood, it's a step into a new era; for the Kenyan film enthusiast, it means the most coveted ticket in cinema is now just a click away.