The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, signaling the latest major shift in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, confirming that it entered into a long-term agreement awarding YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the event will be available as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's another significant shakeup in the entertainment world, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will enable us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a release.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the awards show have fallen, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences streaming from mobile devices and computers.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' storied heritage".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since 1976, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
The move coincides with major studios face challenging merger discussions. Both options were viewed as concerning for an business that has witnessed drastic cuts over the last few years.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the viewers has chosen on-demand video as an alternative.
YouTube winning rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that reliance on online services will carry on expanding.
