The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, marking the most recent substantial change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it entered into a long-term agreement giving the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's one more significant upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this alliance will permit us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Over decades, ratings of the ceremony have dropped, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers streaming from mobile devices and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "a key fundamental pillars of culture" and said that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of innovation and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, stated that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
The move coincides with large entertainment companies confront complex corporate battles. These potential deals were viewed as problematic for an industry that has experienced drastic cuts over the recent period.
Like major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will continue to grow.
