The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, representing the newest major transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, indicating that it signed a extended contract granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has aired for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
This is one more major restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, coupled with drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will enable us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be beneficial for our membership and the film community," said organization heads in a release.
For many years, audience numbers of the televised event have declined, although there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive called the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and said that teaming up with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of artistic expression and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This decision comes as film industry giants face complex corporate battles. Such proposals were seen as problematic for an business that has experienced severe reductions over the recent period.
In common with major studios, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the viewers has shifted towards streaming services as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that dependence on online services will continue to grow.
