The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the newest significant change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, stating that it entered into a multi-year deal granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on YouTube.
This is one more significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, coupled with drastic production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be positive for our membership and the film community," remarked organization heads in a announcement.
Over decades, viewership of the televised event have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "one of our vital pillars of culture" and added that working with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of creativity and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
The broadcast network, which has aired the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
This decision follows large entertainment companies confront challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were viewed as unfavourable for an industry that has experienced significant downsizing over the recent period.
In common with major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Oscars clearly signals that the dominance of digital platforms will persist expanding.
