The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, marking the latest substantial shift in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, stating that it signed a extended contract granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, set for March 15th, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the event will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
It's one more significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, in addition to drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this collaboration will permit us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the movie industry," remarked Academy leadership in a statement.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the televised event have fallen, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers tuning in from mobile devices and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This decision comes as film industry giants face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered unfavourable for an business that has seen significant downsizing over the past several years.
In common with big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the audience has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on streaming sites will persist to grow.
