The Academy Awards Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin broadcasting solely on the global video platform in the year 2029, signaling the newest significant shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, confirming that it finalized a long-term agreement giving YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is a further substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is dealing with studio sales and mergers, coupled with severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a statement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "among our vital cultural institutions" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "spark a new generation of artistic expression and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
ABC, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This shift follows major studios face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were seen as problematic for an business that has experienced severe reductions over the past several years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards streaming services instead.
YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on digital platforms will persist expanding.
