The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the most recent major shift in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it finalized a multi-year deal giving the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
It's a further major shakeup in the entertainment world, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, along with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be positive for our film artists and the movie industry," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the ceremony have fallen, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from smartphones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "among our vital pillars of culture" and added that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of artistic expression and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious history".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This decision follows major studios face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered unfavourable for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the last few years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that reliance on streaming sites will carry on increasing.