The Oscars Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start broadcasting solely on YouTube in the year 2029, marking the most recent major transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it entered into a extended contract granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has aired for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
This is another major upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with studio sales and mergers, in addition to drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this collaboration will permit us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be positive for our Academy members and the movie industry," stated the Academy's executives in a release.
Over decades, audience numbers of the televised event have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers watching from cell phones and desktops.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of artistic expression and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated history".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since 1976, said that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision follows large entertainment companies confront intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were viewed as concerning for an business that has experienced drastic cuts over the past several years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has chosen streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that the dominance of digital platforms will persist expanding.
