The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the latest major transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, confirming that it finalized a extended contract granting YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be available live and for free on YouTube.
This is another significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to steep slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this partnership will enable us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," stated organization heads in a statement.
Over decades, viewership of the ceremony have dropped, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers watching from smartphones and computers.
In a separate statement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "a key vital pillars of culture" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a new generation of artistic expression and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as film industry giants face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were viewed as unfavourable for an sector that has seen significant downsizing over the recent period.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the public has chosen digital platforms as an alternative.
The platform securing the license to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will carry on to grow.
