The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the newest substantial transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on Wednesday, indicating that it entered into a long-term agreement awarding YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has been televised for five decades on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's one more substantial restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," stated organization heads in a release.
Over decades, ratings of the televised event have dropped, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "a key essential cultural touchstones" and added that partnering with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were seen as problematic for an industry that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Like big production houses, cable networks have encountered challenges as the public has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that reliance on streaming sites will continue expanding.
