The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence broadcasting solely on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the most recent substantial shift in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on this week, indicating that it entered into a extended contract giving YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
This is a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to drastic reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will enable us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the movie industry," stated Academy leadership in a release.
For many years, viewership of the awards show have fallen, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from mobile devices and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "one of our vital pillars of culture" and noted that working with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of artistic expression and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. These potential deals were considered unfavourable for an business that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Like big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on digital platforms will carry on expanding.