The Oscars to Depart Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on the Video Platform Beginning in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony will begin broadcasting solely on YouTube in the year 2029, marking the latest major transformation in the film industry.
The organization behind the Oscars declared the decision on Wednesday, confirming that it signed a extended contract awarding YouTube the sole worldwide broadcasting rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The awards show, which is planned for 15 March, has been televised for 50 years on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the show will be accessible live and for free on the digital platform.
This is another substantial restructuring in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, along with drastic reductions in filming.
"Our Academy represents an international organization, and this collaboration will permit us to increase availability to the activities of the Academy to the most extensive international crowd attainable - which will be advantageous for our membership and the film community," remarked the Academy's executives in a announcement.
Over decades, ratings of the ceremony have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a notable portion of younger viewers tuning in from mobile devices and laptops.
In a separate statement, YouTube's CEO referred to the Oscars "a key essential cultural institutions" and said that partnering with the Academy would "motivate a fresh wave of innovation and cinema enthusiasts while remaining faithful to the Oscars' storied legacy".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, stated that it was eagerly anticipating "to the upcoming broadcasts" it will retain rights for.
This shift comes as large entertainment companies confront intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were seen as problematic for an business that has witnessed drastic cuts over the last few years.
Like major studios, cable networks have struggled as the public has increasingly opted for digital platforms as an alternative.
The platform securing rights to the Oscars further suggests that the dominance of streaming sites will persist to grow.
