The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the most recent major shift in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday, indicating that it finalized a extended contract granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.
This is another significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, coupled with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will allow us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be beneficial for our membership and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a release.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the ceremony have dropped, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from cell phones and desktops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "a key vital pillars of culture" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated history".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
This decision comes as film industry giants deal with complex corporate battles. These potential deals were considered unfavourable for an business that has seen severe reductions over the last few years.
In common with big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms as an alternative.
The platform securing the license to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of streaming sites will continue to grow.
