The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the newest major shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, stating that it signed a multi-year deal awarding YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
It's another major upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this collaboration will permit us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a release.
Over decades, viewership of the awards show have declined, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers streaming from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key fundamental pillars of culture" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' storied heritage".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, stated that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
The move coincides with large entertainment companies face challenging merger discussions. Both options were viewed as unfavourable for an business that has witnessed drastic cuts over the past several years.
In common with big production houses, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the audience has shifted towards streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Oscars clearly signals that dependence on digital platforms will continue to grow.
