The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the latest significant change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it entered into a long-term agreement awarding YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
This is one more major shakeup in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with drastic production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this alliance will enable us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," stated organization heads in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the televised event have dropped, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "one of our fundamental pillars of culture" and added that partnering with the Academy would "spark a new generation of innovation and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' storied heritage".
The broadcast network, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision coincides with large entertainment companies confront challenging merger discussions. Both options were considered unfavourable for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the last few years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that the dominance of streaming sites will carry on to grow.
