The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the most recent substantial transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a long-term agreement granting YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for five decades on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
This is one more substantial upheaval in the entertainment world, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will allow us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
For many years, audience numbers of the televised event have fallen, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences watching from smartphones and desktops.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural institutions" and added that partnering with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of creativity and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' storied history".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
The move coincides with major studios confront intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as concerning for an sector that has experienced drastic cuts over the past several years.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has chosen digital platforms instead.
The platform securing the license to the Oscars further suggests that dependence on online services will persist to grow.
