The Academy Awards Are Exiting ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will commence broadcasting solely on the global video platform in 2029, representing the newest substantial shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared the decision on this week, stating that it entered into a multi-year deal awarding the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars up to 2033.
The Oscars, set for 15 March, has been televised for a half a century on ABC. Commencing in 2029, the show will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
It's one more major upheaval in Hollywood, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to severe reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this partnership will enable us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be advantageous for our film artists and the movie industry," stated Academy leadership in a statement.
For many years, viewership of the televised event have dropped, although there was a small rise in 2025, with a notable portion of Gen Z and millennial watchers tuning in from cell phones and computers.
In a related comment, the video platform's chief executive referred to the Oscars "one of our fundamental cultural touchstones" and noted that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of artistic expression and film lovers while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied history".
ABC, which has televised the ceremony since 1976, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will continue to air.
This decision comes as major studios deal with intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were seen as unfavourable for an industry that has seen drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like big production houses, traditional TV channels have struggled as the public has shifted towards digital platforms as an alternative.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Academy Awards further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will carry on increasing.
