The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the newest major change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it finalized a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
This is a further substantial restructuring in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, along with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will enable us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a statement.
For many years, audience numbers of the televised event have fallen, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from smartphones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
This decision coincides with large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were viewed as unfavourable for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the past several years.
Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the audience has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that dependence on streaming sites will continue increasing.
