The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in the year 2029, signaling the latest significant transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, confirming that it entered into a multi-year deal giving YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable live and for free on YouTube.
It's another substantial shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will enable us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the movie industry," remarked Academy leadership in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have declined, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key essential cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
The move comes as film industry giants confront intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were seen as unfavourable for an business that has seen drastic cuts over the past several years.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the viewers has increasingly opted for streaming services as an alternative.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that reliance on streaming sites will persist to grow.
