What Happened to Academy Awards?

The Academy Awards, established in 1929 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), have long served as the pinnacle of cinematic recognition, evolving from a private dinner to a globally televised spectacle. While maintaining its prestige, the institution has faced ongoing challenges, particularly declining traditional television viewership and the need to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape and technological advancements.

A significant turning point occurred in December 2025 when the Academy announced a groundbreaking partnership with YouTube. Beginning with the 101st Academy Awards in 2029, YouTube will become the exclusive worldwide broadcaster of the ceremony through 2033, replacing ABC, which will continue to air the awards through the 100th ceremony in 2028. This strategic move aims to reach a younger, global audience accustomed to digital platforms and reflects a broader industry shift away from traditional linear television. The deal, reportedly valued at over $100 million, includes comprehensive coverage beyond the main ceremony, such as red carpet events and nominations announcements.

In response to the rise of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, the Academy introduced new eligibility rules for the 99th Academy Awards (2027) and beyond, announced on May 1, 2026. These rules explicitly state that actors and scripts generated by AI will be excluded from acting and screenwriting categories, emphasizing the Academy's commitment to human authorship and artistry. However, human actors rendered by AI will be reviewed at the discretion of the Academy. This decision underscores the industry's ongoing grapple with defining and rewarding creative contributions in an era of advanced digital tools.

Further rule modifications for upcoming ceremonies aim to enhance inclusivity and adapt to global filmmaking trends. The eligibility for the Best International Feature Film category has been expanded, allowing films that win qualifying awards at major international festivals (such as Cannes' Palme d'Or or Venice's Golden Lion) to be considered, in addition to traditional country submissions. Additionally, actors can now receive multiple nominations in the same acting category in a single year, aligning acting categories with other award branches. These changes reflect an effort to broaden the scope of recognition and acknowledge the diverse landscape of global cinema.

The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre, saw Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' take home the coveted Best Picture award. Conan O'Brien hosted the ceremony for the second consecutive year. While the event remained a significant cultural moment, its U.S. viewership on ABC and Hulu dipped to 17.9 million, a 9% decrease from the 19.7 million viewers in 2025, marking a four-year low since 2022. This fluctuation continues a long-term trend of declining traditional viewership, even as the show remains the number one primetime entertainment telecast of the 2025-2026 season and sees increased engagement on social media platforms.