The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on the global video platform in 2029, signaling the newest substantial change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, confirming that it signed a multi-year deal giving YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's one more major restructuring in Hollywood, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this alliance will enable us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the cinematic world," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the televised event have fallen, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from mobile devices and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube called the Oscars "one of our essential cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of creativity and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' storied heritage".
ABC, which has televised the awards since 1976, stated that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as major studios deal with challenging merger discussions. Such proposals were seen as unfavourable for an sector that has experienced drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has chosen on-demand video instead.
The platform securing rights to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that reliance on online services will persist increasing.
