The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, signaling the most recent substantial transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, confirming that it signed a extended contract granting YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has aired for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the event will be accessible as a free live stream on YouTube.
This is one more substantial upheaval in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will allow us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," said the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the ceremony have fallen, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers tuning in from smartphones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental pillars of culture" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of innovation and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
ABC, which has aired the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
The move comes as large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered problematic for an industry that has witnessed severe reductions over the past several years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the audience has increasingly opted for streaming services as an alternative.
The platform securing the license to the Oscars clearly signals that reliance on streaming sites will persist expanding.
