The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start airing only on the global video platform in 2029, marking the most recent substantial transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, indicating that it finalized a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, set for March 15th, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on the digital platform.
It's a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is grappling with studio sales and mergers, coupled with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this alliance will allow us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the movie industry," said the Academy's executives in a release.
Over decades, ratings of the awards show have dropped, even if there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers tuning in from mobile devices and computers.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of artistic expression and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, said that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
The move coincides with major studios face intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were viewed as problematic for an business that has witnessed significant downsizing over the recent period.
In common with big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the viewers has chosen digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will continue to grow.
