The Oscars to Depart ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the latest major change in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, confirming that it signed a multi-year deal awarding YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been broadcast for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
It's a further substantial upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will permit us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the film community," remarked Academy leadership in a release.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the televised event have dropped, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and computers.
In a related comment, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of artistic expression and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
This shift coincides with large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. These potential deals were considered problematic for an sector that has seen severe reductions over the past several years.
Like major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has chosen streaming services instead.
YouTube winning rights to the Oscars further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will carry on to grow.
