The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, signaling the latest significant shift in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, stating that it finalized a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for five decades on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's a further substantial upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, in addition to drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the film community," remarked Academy leadership in a statement.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the awards show have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "one of our essential cultural institutions" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of creativity and movie fans while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy".
ABC, which has televised the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
The move comes as large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were viewed as problematic for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the last few years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the audience has chosen on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on online services will continue to grow.
