The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the most recent substantial transformation in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, stating that it entered into a extended contract giving YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
It's one more significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with studio sales and mergers, along with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," said the Academy's executives in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the awards show have declined, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences streaming from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "a key essential cultural institutions" and said that working with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of artistic expression and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the awards since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
The move follows large entertainment companies confront complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered problematic for an industry that has experienced drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the public has shifted towards on-demand video as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that the dominance of online services will persist to grow.
