The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, marking the latest substantial change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, stating that it entered into a extended contract giving the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, set for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be accessible as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's a further major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, along with steep reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this alliance will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be beneficial for our membership and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a announcement.
For many years, ratings of the televised event have fallen, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers streaming from smartphones and desktops.
In a separate statement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "a key fundamental pillars of culture" and said that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of artistic expression and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as film industry giants face complex corporate battles. These potential deals were viewed as problematic for an business that has witnessed severe reductions over the last few years.
Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for streaming services instead.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that the dominance of online services will carry on expanding.