The 98th Academy Awards are more than just a ceremony; they are a key milestone on the road to a radical transformation of how the world watches the Oscars. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will move from traditional broadcast television to an exclusive global partnership with YouTube. This shift reflects the Academy’s desire to reach a younger, more international audience that has already begun to migrate to digital platforms.
President Lynette Howell Taylor and CEO Bill Kramer are already preparing for this transition by making the 98th show more digital-friendly on March 15. With live access on Hulu and collaborations with digital creators, the Academy is building the infrastructure for a digital-only future. Last year’s ratings “lift” among 18-to-49-year-olds suggests that this strategy is already paying off for the organization.
The 2026 ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will introduce the first new award category since 2001: Achievement in Casting. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure the Oscars reflect the collaborative nature of modern filmmaking at the Dolby Theatre. The new category will be given a “gorgeous spotlight” during the broadcast, which aims to stay under three and a half hours for the global audience.
The In Memoriam segment will honor a long list of legendary figures, including Robert Duvall and Catherine O’Hara. Producers are treating the segment with “special attention” to ensure it is robust, moving, and respectful of the year’s major losses in the film community. A more comprehensive list of those lost will be available on the Oscars’ digital hub for fans to view after the ceremony.
The Academy’s ultimate goal is a 2029 move to YouTube, a move that CEO Bill Kramer says is all about “reach and growing audiences” worldwide. This partnership will turn the Oscars into a year-round brand that offers educational and museum programming beyond the annual awards. By digitizing their archives through Google Arts and Culture, the Academy is ensuring its legacy survives in a digital-first, global world.
