The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Stream on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will commence streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, marking the newest major transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars revealed the news on this week, confirming that it finalized a long-term agreement granting the streaming service the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars through 2033.
The awards show, scheduled for March 15th, has been televised for a half a century on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be viewable live and for free on the digital platform.
It's another major restructuring in Hollywood, which is navigating studio sales and mergers, along with drastic reductions in filming.
"The Academy is an worldwide body, and this partnership will allow us to broaden reach to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd imaginable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the cinematic world," said Academy leadership in a statement.
For many years, ratings of the televised event have declined, though there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from cell phones and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, the video platform's chief executive described the Oscars "among our vital cultural touchstones" and added that working with the Academy would "spark a new generation of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while staying true to the Oscars' storied history".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward "to hosting the event three more times" it will still host.
This shift follows major studios deal with complex corporate battles. Both options were considered problematic for an sector that has seen significant downsizing over the recent period.
In common with big production houses, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the audience has chosen on-demand video instead.
The platform securing broadcasting rights to the Oscars clearly signals that dependence on digital platforms will carry on to grow.