The Academy Awards Will Leave Broadcast TV and Broadcast Live on YouTube Starting in 2029.
The Oscars ceremony are set to start airing only on the global video platform in the year 2029, marking the latest major transformation in the film industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the news on Wednesday, confirming that it finalized a extended contract giving the streaming service the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, scheduled for 15 March, has been televised for five decades on the traditional network. Starting in 2029, the ceremony will be viewable live and for free on YouTube.
It's a further substantial shakeup in Hollywood, which is navigating company buyouts and fusions, coupled with severe slashes to movie budgets.
"Our Academy represents an global institution, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the biggest global viewership attainable - which will be beneficial for our film artists and the cinematic world," stated Academy leadership in a release.
Throughout a long period, ratings of the televised event have declined, even if there was a minor increase in 2025, with a significant number of Gen Z and millennial watchers streaming from mobile devices and desktops.
In a corresponding announcement, YouTube's CEO described the Oscars "one of our fundamental pillars of culture" and noted that working with the Academy would "spark a younger cohort of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied heritage".
The broadcast network, which has streamed the awards since the mid-1970s, said that it was excited "to the next three telecasts" it will still host.
The move comes as film industry giants confront intricate takeover attempts. Such proposals were considered problematic for an industry that has experienced drastic cuts over the past several years.
Similar to big production houses, traditional TV channels have encountered challenges as the audience has increasingly opted for digital platforms instead.
YouTube winning broadcasting rights to the Academy Awards further suggests that reliance on digital platforms will carry on to grow.