The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start broadcasting solely on YouTube in 2029, signaling the most recent substantial transformation in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it signed a long-term agreement granting YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, set for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is another substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with severe slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the movie industry," remarked Academy leadership in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from mobile devices and computers.
In a related comment, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "a key vital cultural touchstones" and added that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of innovation and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This decision follows major studios confront intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were considered problematic for an sector that has witnessed significant downsizing over the last few years.
Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the public has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on online services will continue to grow.