The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, representing the latest significant change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, stating that it signed a multi-year deal granting YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has aired for five decades on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the event will be accessible as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's a further major restructuring in Hollywood, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with severe slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this alliance will permit us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the movie industry," said Academy leadership in a statement.
Over decades, viewership of the awards show have dropped, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers watching from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "a key vital cultural touchstones" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of creativity and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, commented that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
The move comes as major studios deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as concerning for an sector that has witnessed severe reductions over the last few years.
In common with big production houses, cable networks have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards on-demand video instead.
The platform securing the license to the Oscars strongly indicates that the dominance of streaming sites will continue expanding.
