The Academy Awards to Depart Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start broadcasting solely on the global video platform in the year 2029, signaling the newest major change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, stating that it finalized a extended contract granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for March 15th, has been televised for five decades on ABC. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
It's a further substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this partnership will enable us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be positive for our membership and the movie industry," stated organization heads in a release.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the ceremony have declined, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences watching from mobile devices and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "among our fundamental pillars of culture" and added that working with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
ABC, which has aired the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
This shift follows major studios face challenging merger discussions. These potential deals were seen as problematic for an business that has witnessed significant downsizing over the last few years.
Like major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on streaming sites will carry on increasing.
