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Disney and Oscars Explore Streaming Transformation for Awards Show
8 Aug
Summary
- Disney's acquisition of Hulu paves way for Oscars streaming
- March 2025 dual-platform experiment saw 1% viewership increase
- Negotiations ongoing between Disney and Academy for new deal

With Disney's recent acquisition of Comcast's remaining equity interest in Hulu, the company and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences are now poised to explore new ways to showcase the Oscars via streaming. As the Academy's current deal with ABC approaches its 2028 expiration, Disney's unified platform offers global reach while the Academy Awards provide Disney with a prestigious launch platform.
The March 2025 dual-platform experiment, where the Oscars were broadcast on ABC and streamed on Hulu, delivered promising results, attracting 19.7 million viewers and bucking years of audience decline. This experiment gave Disney valuable live-streaming data while expanding the Academy's reach beyond linear TV to streaming viewers.
Negotiations are currently underway between the two parties, and industry insiders predict clarity on the future of the Oscars broadcast by the end of this year. The newly appointed AMPAS President, Lynette Howell Taylor, brings deep industry ties and could be a valuable asset in bringing the deal over the finish line. A long-term and wide-ranging agreement could create opportunities for interactive Oscar experiences, international filmmaker showcases, and member-exclusive content.