The Academy Awards Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, signaling the latest significant shift in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, confirming that it finalized a extended contract granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's a further significant upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be positive for our membership and the film community," said Academy leadership in a statement.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the ceremony have fallen, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and laptops.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "one of our fundamental pillars of culture" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This shift coincides with large entertainment companies confront intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were viewed as concerning for an sector that has seen severe reductions over the last few years.
Like big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the public has chosen streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on digital platforms will carry on increasing.
