The Academy Awards to Depart ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, representing the latest substantial transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, indicating that it finalized a extended contract awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for March 15th, has been televised for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
It's one more substantial shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this collaboration will permit us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be positive for our membership and the movie industry," said Academy leadership in a release.
For many years, viewership of the ceremony have dropped, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "a key essential cultural institutions" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of creativity and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
ABC, which has aired the awards since 1976, stated that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
The move follows large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as concerning for an industry that has seen drastic cuts over the past several years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has chosen digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning the license to the Oscars strongly indicates that the dominance of online services will carry on expanding.
