The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Broadcast Live on YouTube Beginning in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, representing the latest substantial transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars made the announcement on Wednesday, indicating that it finalized a extended contract awarding YouTube the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has been broadcast for 50 years on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
This is one more significant upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with severe reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this collaboration will allow us to expand access to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be positive for our film artists and the movie industry," remarked organization heads in a statement.
Throughout a long period, viewership of the televised event have dropped, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a considerable amount of younger viewers watching from smartphones and computers.
In a related comment, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "among our essential pillars of culture" and noted that working with the Academy would "spark a fresh wave of creativity and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' illustrious history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
This shift comes as film industry giants confront intricate takeover attempts. Both options were viewed as unfavourable for an business that has seen drastic cuts over the past several years.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Oscars further suggests that dependence on digital platforms will continue to grow.