YouTube Eyes Oscars Broadcast, Signaling a Shift in Award Show Platforms

In a Hollywood surprise, YouTube reportedly approached the Academy Awards about obtaining the rights to present them. This would represent a huge shift in the entertainment sector, with the Oscars already having been given on ABC for nearly half a century. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been negotiating with a number of media companies, including streaming titans Netflix and Amazon, alongside other conventional broadcasters NBCUniversal and CBS. But the bid entry by YouTube opens a new era for the Oscars.

The need for change in the platform of the Oscars telecast arises against a backdrop of dwindling TV audience and rising adoption of digital streaming. The immense reach of YouTube across the world and audience engagement provide the prospects of reinvigorating the awards show and attracting a younger, more multicultural audience. The convenience of on-demand broadcasting and tie-in with social media that the platform provides may similarly enhance the exposure and engagement of the Oscars in the digital era.

Although the Oscars are historically focused, the Academy has shown itself to be open to modifying its approach. Such changes as the introduction of a live stream that features American Sign Language interpreters and an emphasis on honouring the responders and Los Angeles’ resilience following recent wildfires show that the Academy is open to adapting to the times.

While the future of YouTube’s bid is uncertain, the fact that the site is under consideration to host the Oscars indicates a significant shift in the entertainment industry’s approach to broadcasting award shows. If it happens, this change could set the door open for other traditional events to move into digital sites and revolutionise the landscape for the future of live entertainment.

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Ikenna Churchill

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