The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start broadcasting solely on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the latest substantial transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, stating that it signed a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible live and for free on YouTube.
This is one more substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with severe slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will enable us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a release.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the televised event have declined, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences tuning in from cell phones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "a key essential cultural institutions" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a new generation of artistic expression and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This decision follows film industry giants deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were considered unfavourable for an sector that has seen severe reductions over the past several years.
Like major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has increasingly opted for streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Oscars further suggests that dependence on streaming sites will carry on to grow.
