The Oscars to Depart ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the most recent substantial transformation in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, indicating that it finalized a long-term agreement granting YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible as a free live stream on YouTube.
This is another significant upheaval in Hollywood, which is dealing with studio sales and mergers, coupled with steep production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be positive for our film artists and the movie industry," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
For many years, audience numbers of the ceremony have dropped, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from cell phones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "one of our essential cultural touchstones" and noted that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of artistic expression and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
The move follows film industry giants confront challenging merger discussions. These potential deals were viewed as problematic for an business that has experienced drastic cuts over the past several years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the public has increasingly opted for on-demand video as an alternative.
YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on digital platforms will carry on increasing.
