The Academy Awards to Depart ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin broadcasting solely on YouTube in 2029, representing the most recent major shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it signed a extended contract awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is another major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to steep production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will enable us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the movie industry," said Academy leadership in a release.
For many years, viewership of the ceremony have declined, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of artistic expression and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as major studios confront intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were viewed as unfavourable for an business that has seen significant downsizing over the past several years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the viewers has chosen on-demand video instead.
The platform securing rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on streaming sites will continue to grow.
