The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the most recent significant change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on this week, indicating that it signed a long-term agreement granting YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be accessible as a free live stream on the digital platform.
This is one more substantial restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with severe reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will allow us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be positive for our film artists and the film community," remarked the Academy's executives in a release.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the awards show have dropped, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from smartphones and laptops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "one of our essential cultural touchstones" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies confront intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were considered unfavourable for an industry that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the audience has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Oscars clearly signals that the dominance of streaming sites will continue expanding.