The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, representing the most recent significant shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, indicating that it finalized a multi-year deal granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for March 15th, has aired for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is another major upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, along with steep reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will enable us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible - which will be positive for our Academy members and the film community," said the Academy's executives in a release.
For many years, audience numbers of the televised event have declined, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences watching from cell phones and laptops.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' storied heritage".
ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, commented that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
This shift comes as film industry giants deal with challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were considered unfavourable for an business that has witnessed severe reductions over the last few years.
In common with major studios, cable networks have faced issues as the audience has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will continue increasing.
