The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin airing only on YouTube in the year 2029, signaling the latest significant transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming that it finalized a extended contract granting YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for 15 March, has been broadcast for 50 years on the traditional network. Beginning in 2029, the show will be available live and for free on the digital platform.
It's another significant restructuring in the entertainment world, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, coupled with severe reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this alliance will enable us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the cinematic world," remarked organization heads in a release.
For many years, audience numbers of the televised event have dropped, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers streaming from mobile devices and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, the head of YouTube described the Oscars "one of our vital cultural institutions" and added that partnering with the Academy would "spark a new generation of artistic expression and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
This decision comes as film industry giants deal with challenging merger discussions. These potential deals were seen as concerning for an business that has witnessed severe reductions over the recent period.
Like major studios, cable networks have encountered challenges as the public has chosen digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining rights to the Oscars clearly signals that reliance on digital platforms will persist expanding.