Will the Oscars Leave ABC? Why the Hulu-Disney+ Merger Could Prevent a Split and Benefit Both Sides
As the Academy's current ABC deal approaches its 2028 expiration, Disney's unified platform offers global reach while the Academy Awards provides Disney with a big launch platform and the prestige of hosting one of the year's biggest events in entertainment.
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Disney's recent acquisition of Comcast's last remaining equity interest in Hulu paves the way for Disney and the Academy to come up with creative ways to showcase the Oscars via streaming. The last deal between the sides was set in 2016 — well before the launch of Disney+ and the rest of the streaming explosion.
'If the Oscars stay at ABC, it represents the best of both worlds,' a veteran awards strategist tells Variety. 'Disney aligns with cinema's most prestigious institution, while the Academy gains wider streaming reach.'
The March 2025 dual-platform experiment — broadcast on ABC, streamed on Hulu — delivered promising results. The Oscars attracted 19.7 million viewers, a rare 1% increase that bucked years of audience decline. The experiment gave Disney valuable live-streaming data while the Academy reached expanded its reach beyond linear to streaming viewers who want more flexibility in options for watching even a live awards show event.
The Academy's broader initiatives — education, philanthropy and the Academy Museum — align with Disney's content ecosystem spanning ABC Signature, 20th Television, FX and streaming services. This also opens doors to year-round Academy programming such as documentaries, behind-the-scenes features and Disney+ exclusive educational content.
A long-term and wide-ranging agreement could create yield experimentation opportunities such as interactive Oscar experiences, international filmmaker showcases and member-exclusive content.
However, the $100 million question remains: How are talks progressing between the two parties?
Both sides have remained tight-lipped. Sources with direct knowledge tell Variety negotiations are 'going well and moving along.'
Early speculation indicated that Disney chief Bob Iger wanted to wait on the deal until the Mouse House has set his successor as CEO, which is expected to come early next year. But Academy leaders don't want to wait that long. Both ABC and the Academy declined to comment. Industry insiders predict clarity on ABC and the Oscars' future by year's end.
Newly appointed AMPAS President Lynette Howell Taylor, an Oscar-nominated producer for Bradley Cooper's directorial debut 'A Star is Born,' brings deep industry ties from producing the 92nd Academy Awards — the 'Parasite' year. Although she can only serve a one-year term due to board term limits, she would be allowed to return after a two-year hiatus. She would be a valuable asset to bring this over the finish line.
Disney's technological infrastructure offers capabilities beyond traditional broadcasters — second-screen experiences, real-time engagement and global distribution. For the Academy, the priority remains reaching younger, more diverse audiences critical for long-term relevance. But sources caution that other media platforms have expressed strong interest to AMPAS in having discussions about Oscars. Despite its long relationship with AMPAS, Disney will have to make them a compelling offer or risk being out-bid by a rival.
As negotiations advance, the potential for a continued partnership for the Oscars and Disney — or if a new player will jump into the mix — will be one of the most pressing questions for filmdom insiders in the coming months. Which partner will help define how global audiences engage with prestige movies while preserving the artistic excellence both institutions represent? Only time will tell.
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