The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, representing the latest significant change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on Wednesday, indicating that it signed a long-term agreement giving the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be viewable in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is a further substantial shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to 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 largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the film community," remarked Academy leadership in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the awards show have fallen, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from cell phones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that working with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of creativity and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' storied history".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as major studios deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as unfavourable for an business that has experienced drastic cuts over the recent period.
In common with major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for on-demand video instead.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on online services will carry on expanding.