The Oscars to Depart ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, representing the newest major change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming that it entered into a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for five decades on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on the digital platform.
This is one more substantial upheaval in the entertainment world, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the movie industry," said organization heads in a release.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the televised event have declined, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers watching from cell phones and laptops.
In a separate statement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key essential pillars of culture" and added that working with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, commented that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
The move coincides with film industry giants deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were viewed as unfavourable for an sector that has witnessed significant downsizing over the recent period.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the public has shifted towards streaming services instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on digital platforms will continue expanding.
