The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, representing the most recent major change in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it signed a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has aired for five decades on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on YouTube.
This is one more significant upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," stated organization heads in a release.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the ceremony have declined, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and laptops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "a key vital pillars of culture" and said that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since 1976, commented that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This shift follows film industry giants face complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as unfavourable for an business that has seen significant downsizing over the last few years.
Like big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has increasingly opted for streaming services instead.
The platform securing rights to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will continue expanding.
