The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, marking the newest significant shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on Wednesday, stating that it signed a multi-year deal granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for March 15th, has aired for five decades on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
This is a further significant upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, coupled with severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this collaboration will permit us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," remarked organization heads in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the ceremony have fallen, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from smartphones and desktops.
In a related comment, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key fundamental pillars of culture" and said that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of creativity and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' storied heritage".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This decision follows film industry giants face intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were seen as concerning for an sector that has seen significant downsizing over the last few years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on streaming sites will persist to grow.
