The Oscars Are Exiting ABC and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence broadcasting solely on YouTube in 2029, marking the latest significant shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, confirming that it signed a extended contract granting the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has been broadcast for five decades on ABC. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable live and for free on YouTube.
This is another major upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, coupled with severe reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this collaboration will enable us to broaden reach to the mission of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," said the Academy's executives in a release.
For many years, ratings of the awards show have declined, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from cell phones and laptops.
In a related comment, the head of YouTube referred to the Oscars "one of our vital pillars of culture" and added that partnering with the Academy would "spark a new generation of innovation and movie fans while adhering to the Oscars' celebrated heritage".
The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
This decision comes as film industry giants confront complex corporate battles. These potential deals were considered problematic for an business that has experienced significant downsizing over the last few years.
In common with big production houses, cable networks have encountered challenges as the public has chosen on-demand video as an alternative.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Oscars further suggests that dependence on digital platforms will persist to grow.
