The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in the year 2029, representing the most recent significant shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, stating that it signed a multi-year deal giving the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been broadcast for a half a century on ABC. Beginning in 2029, the show will be accessible in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
This is another major restructuring in the entertainment world, which is dealing with corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with drastic production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will permit us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be positive for our film artists and the film community," remarked the Academy's executives in a statement.
Over decades, viewership of the awards show have declined, even if there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a related comment, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that partnering with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated legacy".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since the mid-1970s, stated that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were considered unfavourable for an business that has experienced significant downsizing over the last few years.
Similar to major studios, cable networks have struggled as the viewers has increasingly opted for digital platforms as an alternative.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Oscars further suggests that reliance on online services will carry on expanding.
