The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, marking the most recent major shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that it signed a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for five decades on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's a further substantial upheaval in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be beneficial for our membership and the cinematic world," stated organization heads in a announcement.
Over decades, ratings of the televised event have fallen, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from mobile devices and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and noted that working with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
The broadcast network, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
The move coincides with film industry giants deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as problematic for an industry that has experienced drastic cuts over the recent period.
Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that the dominance of streaming sites will continue to grow.