The Academy Awards to Depart ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the newest significant transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a extended contract giving YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has been televised for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be accessible as a free live stream on the digital platform.
This is one more substantial upheaval in the entertainment world, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, along with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be advantageous for our film artists and the film community," remarked organization heads in a statement.
For many years, audience numbers of the awards show have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from smartphones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "one of our vital cultural institutions" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
ABC, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
The move follows film industry giants confront complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as problematic for an sector that has witnessed severe reductions over the last few years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has chosen digital platforms instead.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on streaming sites will carry on to grow.
