The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence streaming exclusively on the global video platform in 2029, representing the newest major transformation in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, confirming that it signed a long-term agreement granting YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
This is a further major upheaval in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with severe reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will allow us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a statement.
For many years, ratings of the televised event have declined, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences streaming from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' celebrated history".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to hosting the event three more times" it will continue to air.
This decision coincides with large entertainment companies face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were considered concerning for an sector that has seen drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the audience has shifted towards streaming services instead.
The platform securing the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on streaming sites will persist to grow.
