The Academy Awards Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, marking the most recent significant change in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, stating that it signed a long-term agreement giving the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has been broadcast for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
This is a further significant shakeup in Hollywood, which is dealing with studio sales and mergers, along with severe production cuts.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this partnership will allow us to increase availability to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the movie industry," remarked Academy leadership in a release.
Over decades, ratings of the awards show have fallen, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from smartphones and computers.
In a related comment, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "among our vital pillars of culture" and added that teaming up with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of artistic expression and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, commented that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as large entertainment companies deal with challenging merger discussions. Both options were considered concerning for an business that has witnessed significant downsizing over the recent period.
Similar to big production houses, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for streaming services instead.
The platform securing the license to the Academy Awards clearly signals that dependence on streaming sites will continue increasing.
