The Oscars Are Exiting Broadcast TV and Stream on YouTube Beginning in 2029.
The Academy Awards are set to start streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, signaling the newest substantial change in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, confirming that it entered into a multi-year deal awarding YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, set for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be available as a free live stream on YouTube.
It's a further significant restructuring in Hollywood, which is grappling with company buyouts and fusions, coupled with drastic reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an international organization, and this collaboration will permit us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be positive for our Academy members and the cinematic world," stated the Academy's executives in a statement.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the ceremony have dropped, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of Gen Z and millennial watchers watching from smartphones and computers.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "a key essential cultural touchstones" and said that working with the Academy would "inspire a younger cohort of innovation and film lovers while adhering to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will retain rights for.
The move comes as large entertainment companies deal with intricate takeover attempts. These potential deals were viewed as concerning for an industry that has witnessed drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube winning rights to the Oscars strongly indicates that the dominance of online services will persist expanding.
