Oscar Broadcast Rights Auction Heats Up: Netflix Out, NBCUniversal and YouTube Active

With just eight weeks left until the Oscar nominations are announced, the competition isn’t limited to artists and industry professionals vying for trophies. The auction for the television broadcast rights to the Academy Awards is also intensifying, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has spent much of 2025 seeking a new broadcast deal—a crucial strategic partnership and a major revenue source for the organization. This agreement ensures the Academy remains financially robust while reinforcing the industry’s view of theatrical films as Hollywood’s highest art form (what else could threaten their status these days?). Sources indicate the Academy aims for a 5- to 10-year contract term.

ABC has long been the Academy’s broadcast partner, holding rights through 2028, which will mark the milestone 100th Oscars. Earlier this summer, reports suggested non-traditional bidders like Netflix and YouTube had entered the fray. However, as the media industry grapples with financial pressures and concerns over the Oscars’ production costs, the field has narrowed.

First, two sources close to the talks confirmed Netflix has exited the bidding. Though the streaming giant initially engaged mid-year, one source clarified the company—now poised to acquire Warner Bros.—is no longer involved. Meanwhile, CBS, owned by David Ellison’s Paramount, was never seriously in contention despite earlier reports.

Three sources familiar with Academy discussions noted NBCUniversal has emerged as a serious contender. Following its successful coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Comcast-owned company is doubling down on live entertainment—evidenced by a record 34.3 million viewers for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade across traditional TV and Peacock. Given Universal Pictures’ industry clout, adding the Oscars to NBC’s portfolio makes strategic sense. Donna Langley, NBCUniversal’s entertainment chief, boasts unparalleled talent relationships, with over 20 overall deals—more than Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount, or Disney. An insider highlighted the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a unique selling point for NBCUniversal, offering synergistic marketing opportunities ahead of its potential 2029 Oscars debut.

YouTube remains active in the bidding, per two sources. Nielsen data shows the Google-owned platform dominates viewership, with its TV app leading U.S. and international connected-TV usage for two years. A YouTube insider noted clips and speeches from past Oscars generate significantly more views than the live broadcast itself.

As for ABC, the Disney-owned network has aired most Oscars since 1976 and holds rights through 2028—marking 50 consecutive years. Sources close to ABC emphasized its institutional ties to the Academy, though two expressed skepticism about a new deal, citing the network’s “lower urgency” compared to rivals. Others countered that ABC’s recent 10-year Grammy deal with CBS’s exit doesn’t diminish its Oscars commitment, pointing to Disney’s cross-promotional muscle via theme parks, cruises, and scripted shows.

Ultimately, it’s about money. While specifics remain undisclosed, sources from NBCUniversal, ABC, and YouTube uniformly stated they “won’t overpay.” ABC currently spends ~$120 million annually on the Oscars—covering rights, production, and support—a staggering sum amid declining awards-show ratings. This year’s ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, drew 19.69 million viewers on ABC/Hulu, a five-year high but far below 2014’s 40 million.

For YouTube, financials are trickier. Two insiders said the Academy would demand a premium for a digital-only partner, while filmmakers might resist celebrating cinema on a “tech giant’s platform.” Studio sources also questioned brand alignment, with one quipping: “Would you want Ms. Rachel’s videos autoplaying after the Best Picture winner?”