The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, representing the newest significant transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, stating that it finalized a long-term agreement awarding YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, set for 15 March, has aired for five decades on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable as a free live stream on the digital platform.
This is a further significant upheaval in the entertainment world, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this alliance will enable us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," remarked organization heads in a release.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have declined, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences tuning in from mobile devices and laptops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "among our essential cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
ABC, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
This shift follows large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were viewed as problematic for an industry that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Like major studios, cable networks have faced issues as the viewers has increasingly opted for digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Oscars strongly indicates that reliance on digital platforms will continue increasing.
