The Oscars Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the latest major change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, stating that it signed a long-term agreement giving YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for March 15th, has been televised for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's a further major restructuring in the entertainment world, which is grappling with studio sales and mergers, in addition to steep reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this partnership will enable us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the film community," stated organization heads in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the televised event have dropped, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences tuning in from smartphones and laptops.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.
This shift comes as large entertainment companies face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered concerning for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the recent period.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that dependence on streaming sites will continue to grow.