The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the newest significant transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, confirming that it signed a multi-year deal granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on YouTube.
It's a further substantial restructuring in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will permit us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said organization heads in a release.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the televised event have dropped, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences watching from mobile devices and desktops.
In a related comment, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "among our essential pillars of culture" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of artistic expression and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This decision follows large entertainment companies confront intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as unfavourable for an sector that has seen significant downsizing over the past several years.
Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the viewers has chosen digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on streaming sites will carry on increasing.
