The Academy Awards Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, representing the most recent major transformation in Hollywood.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on this week, indicating that it finalized a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be available in real-time without charge on YouTube.
This is one more substantial restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, in addition to severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will allow us to expand access to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd possible - which will be advantageous for our film artists and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a statement.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the awards show have fallen, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences streaming from mobile devices and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "a key essential cultural institutions" and said that working with the Academy would "motivate a new generation of innovation and movie fans while remaining faithful to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, commented that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This shift coincides with large entertainment companies face complex corporate battles. These potential deals were viewed as unfavourable for an industry that has seen severe reductions over the recent period.
Similar to major studios, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on online services will continue expanding.
