The Oscars Will Leave ABC and Stream on YouTube Starting in the Year 2029.
The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the most recent significant shift in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on this week, indicating that it signed a multi-year deal giving the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, set for March 15th, has aired for 50 years on ABC. Starting in 2029, the event will be viewable in real-time without charge on YouTube.
It's another major restructuring in Hollywood, which is navigating corporate acquisitions and consolidations, in addition to steep slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an worldwide body, and this collaboration will enable us to increase availability to the mission of the Academy to the biggest global viewership imaginable - which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," said Academy leadership in a statement.
Over decades, ratings of the awards show have dropped, although there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from cell phones and computers.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO called the Oscars "among our fundamental cultural institutions" and said that partnering with the Academy would "inspire a fresh wave of artistic expression and movie fans while staying true to the Oscars' illustrious history".
ABC, which has streamed the ceremony since 1976, said that it was excited "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.
This decision comes as major studios face complex corporate battles. Both options were considered concerning for an business that has seen severe reductions over the last few years.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have faced issues as the audience has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube obtaining the license to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of digital platforms will continue to grow.
