The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, representing the most recent major transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement 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 Oscars, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be accessible live and for free on YouTube.
This is another major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with severe production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will enable us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," stated organization heads in a statement.
For many years, audience numbers of the awards show have declined, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of youthful audiences watching from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that working with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies deal with complex corporate battles. Such proposals were viewed as problematic for an business that has experienced drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like major studios, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has shifted towards streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that dependence on digital platforms will continue increasing.
