The 2029 Oscars appear to be a moment of generational change for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Not only will “broadcast” and streaming rights segue from ABC and Hulu to online streaming partner YouTube, but now, The Academy has announced a new partnership with AEG that will take the prestigious ceremony from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood to the L.A. Live complex in downtown Los Angeles. Yes, the 101st Oscars are set to be held at the Peacock Theater beginning in 2029.
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The entities said the deal will last from 2029 to 2039. The Academy Awards have been held in the Dolby Theater, originally known as the Kodak Theater, since 2002. From 1969 to 2001, the ceremonies alternated between the Shrine Auditorium and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. Previous ceremonies in the ceremony’s 98-year history took place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the Pantages Theater, Graumann’s Chinese Theater, and the Biltmore Hotel, among other venues.
Conveniently for AEG, the naming rights deal for the Peacock Theater ends in 2028. The organization is clearly hoping to get NBCUniversal or another entity to pony up more money now that the Oscars have a decade-long commitment to the venue.
In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor noted, “We are thrilled to partner with a global powerhouse like AEG. Their track record for building and operating technologically sophisticated live performance venues is unrivaled. For the 101st Oscars and beyond, the Academy looks forward to closely collaborating with AEG to make L.A. LIVE the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema, both for our live in-theater audience and for film fans around the world.”
Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer, AEG, added, “L.A. LIVE was built to host the moments that define culture, and there is no greater global stage than the Oscars. We’re proud to partner with the Academy to reimagine what the Oscars can look and feel like in the years ahead. Together, we will create an environment that celebrates creativity, honors excellence, and delivers an unforgettable experience for movie fans everywhere.”
As part of this partnership, AEG says it will undertake “comprehensive enhancements to the theater, including upgrades to its stage, sound and lighting systems, lobbies, backstage facilities and additional production-critical areas.” They will also work with the Academy to “incorporate bespoke design elements needed to accommodate the Oscars ceremony.” How this will differ from any of the other production setups from countless premieres and awards shows at the venue remains to be seen.
AEG and the Academy also made a point to note that the “recently expanded plaza” will host the red carpet arrivals.
The Peacock Theater, also known as the Nokia Theater and Microsoft Theater, opened in 2007. It has been the main home for the Primetime Emmy Awards since 2008 and has also been used for multiple ESPY, American Music Awards, BET Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards, just to name a few. It also hosts the early Grammy Awards ceremony before the main telecast from Staples, er, Crypto.com Arena next door. To suggest the Oscars are moving into a decidedly more generic and less cinematic venue is an understatement.
The Dolby Theater was designed essentially for the Oscars. Not only was it bringing the ceremony back to Hollywood after more than 50 years, but, at the time, it was touted as the most technically compatible venue for the telecast in Los Angeles. The theater is limited, however, by a maximum of 3,332 seats. The Peacock Theater can fit between 4,100 and 7,100 seats, depending on the event.
At publication, The Academy has not set dates for any upcoming ceremonies from 2027 forward.
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