NBC is positioning itself as a contender to become the next broadcaster of the Academy Awards. According to Deadline, which confirmed the news with industry sources, NBCUniversal has held preliminary talks with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about taking over the telecast once ABC’s deal expires following the 2028 ceremony.

For NBCUniversal, the pursuit marks a logical step. The company has been without a major awards property since it severed ties with the Golden Globes in 2023, instead building out its fan-driven People’s Choice Awards. It has also scored significant wins in live programming: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has shattered viewership records in recent years, most recently drawing 34.3 million viewers across NBC and Peacock.

NBCU enters an increasingly competitive field. YouTube signaled its interest in hosting the Oscars earlier this summer, and Amazon has been circulated as another possible bidder, though the depth of its interest remains uncertain. Netflix, which airs the Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards) as a way to bring star power to the platform, is not pursuing the Oscars and has no plans to do so, sources said.

The Oscars have been quietly on the market since spring, when the Academy’s exclusive negotiating window with longtime broadcast partner ABC lapsed. According to sources, negotiations stalled after the Academy sought a higher license fee than ABC was prepared to pay, prompting the organization to explore alternatives.

No discussions have taken place between ABC parent company Disney and the Academy since the window closed, though industry insiders say the Academy has not ruled out reengaging with ABC.

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