The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, signaling the newest major change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, confirming that it finalized a extended contract giving YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for March 15th, has been broadcast for five decades on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be available in real-time without charge on the digital platform.
It's a further substantial shakeup in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to drastic slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this alliance will permit us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the movie industry," said the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the ceremony have fallen, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from cell phones and computers.
In a separate statement, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "a key fundamental cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious legacy".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will continue to air.
This decision coincides with major studios deal with intricate takeover attempts. Both options were seen as problematic for an industry that has witnessed significant downsizing over the past several years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has chosen digital platforms instead.
The platform securing the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that reliance on digital platforms will carry on to grow.
