The Oscars Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on YouTube in 2029, marking the newest significant change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, stating that it signed a extended contract granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on YouTube.
It's one more significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, coupled with steep production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will enable us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the movie industry," remarked the Academy's executives in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the ceremony have declined, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "a key vital cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied history".
ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This shift follows large entertainment companies face intricate takeover attempts. Both options were viewed as unfavourable for an business that has witnessed severe reductions over the last few years.
Like major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the viewers has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that reliance on digital platforms will persist increasing.
