The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the newest substantial change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, stating that it signed a extended contract giving the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is another major shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with company buyouts and fusions, in addition to severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will enable us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be beneficial for our membership and the movie industry," said organization heads in a announcement.
Over decades, ratings of the televised event have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers streaming from mobile devices and laptops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and added that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of creativity and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This shift comes as film industry giants confront complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as concerning for an industry that has experienced drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like major studios, cable networks have faced issues as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that reliance on streaming sites will persist increasing.
