The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start broadcasting solely on YouTube in the year 2029, marking the most recent significant transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, confirming that it signed a long-term agreement giving YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has been televised for a half a century on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
This is another significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, coupled with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will permit us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be beneficial for our membership and the movie industry," stated organization heads in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the ceremony have dropped, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious history".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, said that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This decision coincides with film industry giants face challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were considered unfavourable for an business that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the public has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on streaming sites will continue increasing.
