The Academy Awards to Depart ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on YouTube in 2029, representing the latest significant transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, indicating that it finalized a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's a further significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will allow us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be positive for our membership and the cinematic world," stated organization heads in a release.
For many years, ratings of the awards show have dropped, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and desktops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental pillars of culture" and said that working with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of creativity and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were considered problematic for an sector that has witnessed significant downsizing over the past several years.
Like major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has chosen streaming services instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Oscars further suggests that reliance on online services will carry on to grow.
