Oscars pivot to streaming service for the first time

The Oscars have been a mainstay on cable networks. However, a radical change in viewing habits has led the Academy Awards to announce that the ceremony will also stream live on Hulu.

This decision marks the first time in the prestigious award’s history that the event will be broadcast on a streaming service.

Previously, though, Disney+ showed the 2022 Oscars nominations to test its platform’s live-streaming capabilities.

The latest move, however, was employed to tap the wider and diverse audience of the OTT service and jack up the rating of the glitzy event, which had been growing since the 2020 ceremony. 

Golden Globes previously joined the fray by announcing that the 82nd ceremony will simultaneously stream on Paramount+ and air live on CBS in January.

In the meantime, Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 3, 2025.

“We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said.

“He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies and his live TV expertise.”

“His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best — honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year,” he concluded.