The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, representing the most recent substantial change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that it signed a multi-year deal awarding YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the ceremony will be available as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's another substantial upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, in addition to steep reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this partnership will permit us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," stated the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Over decades, audience numbers of the ceremony have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of youthful audiences watching from cell phones and laptops.
In a separate statement, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "a key vital cultural touchstones" and added that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a younger cohort of innovation and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, commented that it was looking forward "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This decision follows major studios deal with intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were considered concerning for an sector that has witnessed drastic cuts over the recent period.
Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has chosen on-demand video instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on online services will persist expanding.
