The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on YouTube in 2029, signaling the most recent substantial change in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that it finalized a extended contract granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on the digital platform.
It's a further substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with steep production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be advantageous for our film artists and the movie industry," said organization heads in a announcement.
For many years, ratings of the televised event have dropped, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers streaming from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
This decision coincides with large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as problematic for an industry that has witnessed significant downsizing over the recent period.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the public has shifted towards streaming services instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that the dominance of digital platforms will carry on to grow.
