The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the latest major change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be accessible in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's one more significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with drastic production cuts.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will allow us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be positive for our membership and the film community," said Academy leadership in a statement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the televised event have dropped, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a related comment, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
This shift follows large entertainment companies face challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were considered concerning for an business that has experienced severe reductions over the past several years.
Like big production houses, cable networks have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on online services will continue increasing.
