The Oscars Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the most recent major transformation in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it entered into a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for five decades on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is one more major upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with severe reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will permit us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a statement.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the televised event have fallen, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences tuning in from smartphones and desktops.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of artistic expression and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
The move follows major studios confront challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were considered concerning for an industry that has experienced severe reductions over the last few years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on digital platforms will continue increasing.
