The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, marking the newest significant transformation in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a extended contract giving the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, set for March 15th, has been broadcast for five decades on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.
This is another significant upheaval in the entertainment world, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, along with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this alliance will permit us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the film community," said Academy leadership in a statement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences watching from cell phones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental pillars of culture" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' storied legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will still host.
The move coincides with film industry giants confront complex corporate battles. Both options were seen as unfavourable for an industry that has seen significant downsizing over the past several years.
Similar to big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has increasingly opted for streaming services instead.
The platform securing the license to the Oscars further suggests that reliance on online services will carry on increasing.
