The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the most recent substantial transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, stating that it entered into a extended contract granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for five decades on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable as a free live stream on YouTube.
This is one more major upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, along with severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this collaboration will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the cinematic world," stated Academy leadership in a release.
For many years, ratings of the awards show have dropped, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from mobile devices and computers.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
The move follows film industry giants deal with challenging merger discussions. Both options were seen as problematic for an sector that has seen significant downsizing over the past several years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have faced issues as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on online services will continue increasing.
