The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, representing the newest major shift in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, confirming that it entered into a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, set for 15 March, has been televised for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's one more substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is dealing with studio sales and mergers, along with drastic production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will permit us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a release.
For many years, ratings of the televised event have declined, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and desktops.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of creativity and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated history".
ABC, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This shift comes as film industry giants confront intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were considered unfavourable for an industry that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Like big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on streaming sites will continue expanding.
