The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, signaling the newest significant transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it signed a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has been broadcast for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable live and for free on YouTube.
It's a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, coupled with steep production cuts.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," stated the Academy's executives in a announcement.
For many years, ratings of the awards show have fallen, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "among our essential cultural touchstones" and said that partnering with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were viewed as problematic for an industry that has witnessed significant downsizing over the recent period.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube winning the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will carry on increasing.
