The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Starting in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the most recent significant transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, indicating that it entered into a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's one more major shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, coupled with steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this partnership will permit us to broaden reach to the work of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the movie industry," remarked the Academy's executives in a release.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the awards show have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers watching from cell phones and computers.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "among our vital cultural institutions" and noted that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since the mid-1970s, commented that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
This decision comes as film industry giants deal with intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were seen as concerning for an sector that has experienced severe reductions over the last few years.
In common with big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the audience has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards strongly indicates that dependence on online services will persist expanding.
