The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the latest significant change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, stating that it entered into a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for March 15th, has been televised for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be accessible as a free live stream on YouTube.
This is a further major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said the Academy's executives in a statement.
For many years, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and desktops.
In a related comment, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural institutions" and added that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and movie fans while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy".
ABC, which has aired the awards since 1976, stated that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This shift comes as large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as problematic for an business that has seen drastic cuts over the recent period.
Like big production houses, cable networks have faced issues as the public has increasingly opted for on-demand video as an alternative.
YouTube winning the license to the Oscars strongly indicates that dependence on digital platforms will persist increasing.
