The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Starting in the Year 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start airing only on the global video platform in 2029, representing the latest significant shift in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on Wednesday, stating that it signed a long-term agreement awarding the streaming service the unique international license to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, set for 15 March, has been broadcast for a half a century on the traditional network. Commencing in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
It's another major upheaval in the entertainment world, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, along with severe production cuts.
"The Academy is an global institution, and this alliance will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership possible - which will be advantageous for our Academy members and the cinematic world," said organization heads in a announcement.
Throughout a long period, audience numbers of the televised event have dropped, though there was a small rise in 2025, with a significant number of youthful audiences streaming from smartphones and desktops.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "among our essential cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "inspire a new generation of innovation and movie fans while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious heritage".
The broadcast network, which has televised the awards since the mid-1970s, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to the next three telecasts" it will retain rights for.
This shift coincides with major studios deal with challenging merger discussions. These potential deals were considered concerning for an sector that has experienced significant downsizing over the past several years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the viewers has shifted towards digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Oscars strongly indicates that dependence on digital platforms will continue expanding.
