The Oscars Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin broadcasting solely on YouTube in 2029, representing the newest major transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that it finalized a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has aired for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, along with steep reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this partnership will permit us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the cinematic world," stated Academy leadership in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the ceremony have declined, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from mobile devices and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "a key vital pillars of culture" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.
The move comes as major studios deal with complex corporate battles. Such proposals were seen as problematic for an business that has seen significant downsizing over the last few years.
In common with major studios, cable networks have faced issues as the audience has chosen digital platforms as an alternative.
The platform securing the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on digital platforms will persist increasing.
