The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the most recent major shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that it finalized a multi-year deal giving YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be available as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's another significant upheaval in the entertainment world, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, along with severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will enable us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the awards show have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from cell phones and laptops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "among our vital cultural institutions" and noted that partnering with the Academy would "spark a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied heritage".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
The move coincides with large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were seen as unfavourable for an sector that has seen severe reductions over the recent period.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will carry on expanding.
