The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, marking the latest significant change in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, stating that it finalized a extended contract giving YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's one more substantial shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to drastic reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will enable us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be advantageous for our film artists and the cinematic world," said the Academy's executives in a release.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the awards show have dropped, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences watching from smartphones and computers.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
This shift comes as film industry giants deal with complex corporate battles. These potential deals were seen as concerning for an sector that has seen drastic cuts over the last few years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards streaming services instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that reliance on online services will continue increasing.
